"I'm really sorry, Liv. I'll buy you a new one," he said as he handed her the sweater.
Since they began spending the night at each other's place, occasionally clothes got left behind. More than once one of his hoodies had been discarded at her apartment and she had returned it to him washed and dried. Each time it was like receiving a gift - having something returned to him neatly folded and smelling of her laundry detergent so that the next time he wore it she felt close enough to touch.
When he found her white sweater wrapped in his sheets, he smiled at the opportunity to repay the gesture. "You're always so good about throwing my things in with yours. I just wanted to return the favor." She held the white garment out in front of her, a sad look on her face. It was noticeably smaller than it had been a few days before.
"I had intended to hang it up to dry, but I got called into work...and then I forgot it was in the machine when I threw the load into the drier."
She let out a small sigh and folded it neatly before finally meeting his eyes. "It's ok, El. I really appreciate the thought, and ordinarily I'd say it's just a sweater." She paused, running her hands over the soft material. "This one was just sentimental."
"I know," he said quietly. Surprised, she gave him a questioning look. "That's the sweater you were wearing the first time I told you I love you."
"You remembered that?" she whispered. He saw the tears gathering in the corners of her eyes and felt the lump form in his own throat. He thought about it every time she wore that particular sweater.
"I do. You looked beautiful that night...and every other night you've worn it. I'm really sorry I -"
Before he could finish his sentence, her lips were on his. Slowly, she ran her hands up his chest, stopping to rest there as she kissed him. When she pulled away, the disappointment and confusion had been replaced by a look of content.
"What did I do to deserve that?" he asked, confusion now on his face.
"You loved me. That sweater was only special because it reminded me of that, but I have you to do that every day."