Unspoken Tenderness

"If I weren't here, you'd be stranded here today." Declan cleaned her shins carefully, the tips of his own ears faintly pink.

"Then just go. I'll ask someone els—"

"Go where? Ask who?"

Declan looked up at her, and only then realized how close they were.

Close enough to feel each other's warm breath distinctly.

The air around them was still damp from the recent rain, so why did it suddenly feel so