I sat on my bed, knees tucked under my chin, staring out the window.

It was warm but my insides felt cold.

My mind was mulling over three simple words that Zach had yet to say.

He was always so…boxed up, like he will never let me know the real Zachary Goode.

I know his mom wants me dead.

I know the Circle is trying to kill me.

I know the Circle wants me dead.

I know, no matter, where we go, we cause trouble.

I know we are one of the most dysfunctional couples in the world.

I know!

I get it!

We've been through a lot together.

We've been on the brink of death together!

I guess that's not enough for him...

A soft knock on the door interrupts my woeful thinking and I hear a familiar low voice ask "Cammie, are you in there?"

"Yes."

I turn away from the door as it opens.

Zach.

As soon as he enters the room I feel the security that fills me, his protectiveness is practically tangible.

"Hey," he whispers as he closes the door and makes his way over to my bed. "Is everything okay?" His arms wrap around me, but I make no move to pull him closer.

"Yeah," I start but then I shake my head, "no it's not."

What's the point in telling lies to a person trained in detecting them?

"What's wrong," he asked, turning me around to face him.

I stared down at the comforter, unable to meet his gorgeous emerald eyes.

"Cammie," he lifted my chin up to look at him, "tell me what's wrong."

After five minutes and thirty-four seconds I blurt, "Do you love me?"

He seems taken aback and the look on his face drives a knife through my heart.

Tears threaten to spill as I say "Never mind, forget it."

I jump up ready to leave when Zach grabs my hand.

For a minute we do nothing but stare at each other.

Then he asks, "Why baby?"

I lose it.

"I want to know! I need to know! We've been through so much and I need to know our time together hasn't been a waste! I have fallen hard for you Zach to the point of breaking. I have to make sure I'm not giving up my heart to someone just to have it break, okay?"

I drop down onto the bed and let out the held back tears.

At first Zach does nothing and I'm afraid I've ruined everything.

Suddenly he reaches out, pulls my face to look at him, and kisses me softly. I'm frozen but slowly, I close my eyes and let the tears roll down my and onto his. His hands take my face and pull me back.

"Of course I love you Cammie. I just needed to know you loved me too."

Relief washes over me as we kiss again and finally I know.

He loves me.

I love him.

Zach meets my eyes and whispers "I love you."

I don't say it but I know he understands.

I love him too.