Chapter 36 : Something Real

When Mia wakes up the next morning, sunlight filtering gently over the bed, she turns over to see Elon. He’s propped up on his elbow, watching her with a soft expression.

“Good morning. Have you been up long?” Mia asks, sleep still strong in her voice.

Elon shrugs, reaching out to run his hands through Mia’s hair. “I wanted to be up by the time you woke up, just in case.”

Mia’s heart throbs dully. “Just in case I left while you were still sleeping?”

Elon nods. Mia pauses, propping herself up as well.

“If this is going to work, we both need to be completely honest. Can you promise me that?”

Elon’s eyes flit over her face as if he’s amazed just to be looking at her. “I promise.”

“Where…should we start?” Mia asks, unsure of how they could possibly lay so many feelings bare.

Elon sighs, rubbing his eyes for a moment. “I try not to think about that night, Mia, for so many reasons. I think you need to hear me out though, no matter how pathetic my reasoning may seem to you now.”