ANDRE
We have been working in a comfortable silence, as I layered the paste in his hair, even though Zein is looking at me through the mirror.
"I missed this," I admit, and he smiles.
"Yeah, me too. I missed you more, though."
"…" I start to talk, broach the subject, but nothing comes out. I end up shutting my mouth and biting my lip.
"What are you scared of?" he asks quietly. This time, the smile is gone, but the softness in his eyes makes me feel so safe. It's been such a long time since he looked at me like that. I almost start crying, but I swallow it down, opting to continue with my task.
"Losing you again," I admit softly. "That's my biggest fear."
"Is that why you are … uncomfortable with my advances?"
"What? No!" I rush out, looking at him through the mirror with wide eyes. "I am not uncomfortable. If anything, I am so flustered I can barely think when you get like that," I blush, averting my eyes back to his hair. "But I am not uncomfortable, I promise."
