'Do you know why you look away?' he asked, his voice gentle.
I nodded.
'We've shared an awful lot, Kate. Can't you tell me?'
'I probably can if I don't look at you.'
He threw back his head and laughed. 'Sorry. That was funny. Okay' — despite an effort not to, he was still laughing-'what's the problem?'
'I'm in love with you.'.
His laughter stopped. When the silence became unbearable, I glanced up at him. 'You look-you look stunned. I'll get over it,' I added quickly. 'You know when I put my mind to something, I do it. I will get over it, Sam.'
'But I won't,' he said.
'Sorry?'
'I won't… I can't. I've tried-it's impossible.' He reached for my face and held it in his hands.
So that's how it feels, I thought.
'I love you, Kate.'
I don't think I breathed.
'I have from the very beginning,' he said. 'Well, maybe not that moment when you nearly destroyed my car.'
'Nearly destroyed! I didn't touch it.'
He laughed and ran his thumb softly across my mouth. How did he do that, make me feel his touch like heat beneath my skin-make me feel it everywhere even when he brushed only my lips.
'You can't have any idea how much I want to kiss you,' he said.
'Maybe-maybe I do. Why don't you try and see?'
His mouth touched mine, lightly, carefully-too lightly and carefully-so I took over and kissed him.
'Maybe you do!' he agreed, when we had caught our breath again.
