Nina froze. Her heart slammed against her ribs so hard it almost hurt. The world around her faded into silence.
Did…
Did he just say—
She lifted her head slowly, searching his face.
"I…" Her lips parted, but no sound came.
Rodrigo smiled, the corners of his eyes softening as he looked at her. "I love you," he repeated without hesitation. "A little too much, Nina."
Nina could only stare at him, her throat tightening. She wanted to answer. She wanted to tell him everything swelling inside her chest, but the words refused to come.
A smile tugged at Rodrigo's lips. He reached up and brushed away a strand of hair that had fallen across her face. Before she could recover enough to protest, he slipped both arms around her again and pulled her tightly against him, holding her as though she were going to disappear at any second.
