She woke up to him staring at her. His stare was full of something. Lust, maybe. Well, they had been sleeping naked all week. She was trying to win the bet, and she would. But, not with him staring at her like that.

“What?” She asked smiling at him.

“Nothing, I just like looking at you sleep,” he said smiling back. “Even though I know you’re not,” he began, “there’s this innocence about you.”

She smiled, more like a big, girly grin now. “Oh, really”

“Uh-huh.”

Her cell phone alarm went off. She rolled over to look at the time—8:00 am.

“I guess I should go take a shower,” she said as she pulled the covers off and began to get out of bed

“Wait, sweety,” he said reaching out to grab her. But, thought of the bet and didn’t.

“Uh-huh, trying to win,” she smiled.

“I guess so. But, why are you rushing out of bed?” He asked with a look at sadness on his face.

“Well, I need to get ready for work.” She was about to get up again, and walk to the bathroom.

“You are so beautiful,” he said sitting up in the bed.

“Awww, I know.” She said jokingly.

“And conceited,” he joked back. “But, seriously, you’re beautiful.” He leaned in closer to her, almost touching her. “You make me so damn happy”

“Honey,” her voice cracked, “you make me happy too.” He’s so sweet, she thought.

“I just wanted to tell you tha-,” he started, but trailed off. This is so nerve-wrecking right now. Am I really ready to tell her? Now! He thought to himself.

“Tell me what?” She asked, not sure she wanted him to tell her. His voice sounded so tense.

“Nothing,” he got scared, “you should get ready for work.”

She was concerned now. What was he not telling her? They usually share things with each other. One year ago, when they met, they instantly connected. It was like they had been waiting for each other their whole lives. Dating amazing, and hen they decided to be a couple, the transition was smooth. They were friends. So, what was he holding back?

“Are you sure?” she asked. “I can be late; do you need to talk?”

“Um,” he began, “yeah, I do.” His voice was quivering. He noticed it, and knew she did too.

“Okay, go ahead.” She reassured him, “I’m listening.”

“God, you’re beautiful,” he repeated.

“Sweety, just talk to me.”

“Okay, I just wanted to tell you that.” Okay, this is it, don’t fuck it up, he thought. “I’ve already told you how happy I am, right?”

He did this, when he was nervous—repeat himself. For him, it set the mood. Whatever he wanted the person to feel, he could make them feel by repeating how he felt. He did that the first time he asked her out. They had been talking for a while. Nothing serious, casual. But, he liked her a lot, and decided to ask her out. He had repeated three times before he asked her how much he liked her. Then, he asked. Was this going to be the same?

“Honey, are you okay? Is this something I should be worried about?” She asked, getting really concerned.

He noticed the concern in her voice, and knowing what he was bout to tell her, he laughed. There was no need for her to be concerned.

“What’s funny?” She was getting a little annoyed.

He reached out and held her hand. They looked at each other. He’d lost the bet. She smiled, wanted to acknowledge that he did, but decided not to. She knew that he did it intentionally.

“Yeah, I know,” he began, “but, I don’t care.” He smiled a confident smile at her. It eased her a bit. Then, he paused for a second, getting his nerve up again. He asked her to come closer to him. When she did he embraced her, looked deep into her eyes, and said:

“I love you.” He smiled, and waited for her.

Her eyes opened wider, her mouth dropped a bit. “Oh my gosh, honey.”

“Yeah,” he smiled, “I love you.”

Her eyes began to tear up. He hadn’t said it before now. They had agreed to say it when they really meant it. Last month, she had wanted to. But, she didn’t because she thought he wasn’t ready to say it.

“I love you, too,” she said emotionally, “I love you, too”

Then, they just stared at each other. Neither said anything. They just looked into each other’s eyes. And, even though there was verbal silence, they were talking to each other.

He had only said this to one other woman before. She had never said it to anyone before. They both knew this of each other. That made the moment that much more special.

She broke the silence, “Did you mean that?” She needed to be reassured. This was really new for her.

He brushed her face. Then, leaned in to kiss her. His kiss was hard, passionate, and it engulfed them both. As he pulled away, he kept his eyes on her, not letting go of her gaze. “Yeah, I did.”

She was crying now, “I did too, I meant it.”

He smiled, and got teary-eyes too. “I know you did.”

There really wasn’t much more to say. They had said it.

She lay back down on the bed, pulled the covers over her, and looked up at him.

“I thought you were going to get ready for work,” he said knowing that she wasn’t going anywhere now.

“I don’t have to go.” She said reaching out to him, pulling him to follow her lead.

He lay back down as well. “I love you.”

She smiled. She didn’t mind him repeating this. “I love you, too.” This time she leaned in to kiss him first.