I pull her close in a tight hug, hoping she'll feel how much regret I'm feeling right now. It will never be enough. "I wish I was, Lia. I really wish I was. I don't deserve you."
"You're here now. That's all that matters." She sniffs and then presses a kiss on my left pec. "Enough of that. Let's stay in the present. Like, Now. That… I'd like to know what's up with this addition?" She traces the tattoo on my chest where she just kissed.
"The dragon? What do you mean? You've seen that before." I feign ignorance.
"Be serious. Gio." Malia pulls back, her eyebrows crossed like she's ready to clock me. "You know what I mean. What's up with the rose in its mouth? That wasn't there before."
