Tenderness radiated from his eyes. “I wrote this song for you, Leia. Did you understand all the words?”
She nodded, her throat too tight to speak. Tears hovered at the backs of her eyes. She wouldn’t cry, she reminded herself.
“Well? Are you going to answer me?” he asked.
She couldn’t think, couldn’t decide what to do. Bane’s face was turned up to her, and the love in his eyes broke through her fear. He’d braved this crowd to reveal a softer side she’d never seen. How could she hold on to her fear in the face of such devotion? “Aloha au ia ’oe.” She whispered Hawaiian words for I love you. “I don’t think I have any choice but to say . . . yes.” With her surrender, the tears pushed past the walls she’d erected and flowed down her cheeks. She found she didn’t mind at all.
“There’s always a choice. But I’ve taken down the barrier I’ve had up, Leia. My heart is yours.”
“You sound almost poetic,” she said. His grip on her hand was so tight it was almost painful, but she didn’t mind.
“That was the part inside I was hiding. I hope you don’t mind if I bring you flowers and sing you love songs.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She leaned forward, and their lips met in a kiss. She inhaled the scent of him along with the love in his touch. With Bane she would never feel inferior or dam-aged. The crowd clapped even louder, and she heard Eva’s shriek of happiness, a joyous sound that illuminated life, the good, the bad, and the incredible adventure. The scars healed, both inside and out. She pulled away. “You realize Hina will be thrilled.”
“I think I just became a cat lover,” he said, bringing her face down for another kiss.