"I know." He looks at her. "Do you want to stop?"
The question catches her off guard.
"Do you?"
"I asked first."
She thinks about it. Really thinks about it.
About the risk. The danger. Everything they could lose.
Then thinks about his smile during the games. The way he looked at her during his performance. The note he pressed into her hand.
"No," she admits quietly. "I don't want to stop."
His expression softens. "Good. Because neither do I."
"But we need to be careful. More careful. What we're doing... if anyone finds out..."
"I know the risks." He reaches for her hand. Stops himself. "But I also know that I haven't felt this way in a long time. Maybe ever. And I don't want to lose it because I'm scared."
"We should be scared. This could end both our careers."
"It could. Or it could be the best thing that ever happened to us."
"You're an optimist now?"
"Only about you."
She wants to argue. Wants to list all the reasons this is a terrible idea.
