Almost Love, Then Everything - Chapter 39: Chapter 39
You are reading Almost Love, Then Everything, Chapter 39: Chapter 39. Read more chapters of Almost Love, Then Everything.
("Some words are loud even when they’re whispered.
Especially when they’re real.")
It was late.
Later than usual, even for them.
The streets outside Jade’s apartment had emptied to that soft, blue hour where even the city seemed to take a breath. Inside, everything was still. Peaceful. Dim.
Leah lay on Jade’s bed, one arm flung across a pillow, her hair messy from sleep and laughter. Jade sat beside her, cross-legged, watching the rise and fall of Leah’s chest like she couldn’t believe this was real.
It wasn’t a dramatic night.
No declarations. No big turning point.
Just shared space. Shared quiet. Shared safety.
And sometimes, that’s where the heart speaks loudest.
Leah’s voice broke the silence first, heavy with sleep. “You ever get scared when it’s finally good?”
Jade looked down at her. “All the time.”
Leah turned onto her side to face her, blinking slowly. “Then why do you still stay?”
Jade smiled—small, soft, real.
“Because you’re worth the fear.”
That answer—so simple, so unflinching—made Leah’s throat go tight.
She didn’t respond. Not out loud.
Just stared at Jade for a long second too long.
And that’s when it happened.
Barely above a whisper. Almost too quiet to hear.
But Jade did.
“I think I love you.”
Leah hadn’t meant to say it. Not like that. Not so sudden. Not with a voice that trembled at the end.
Her eyes widened a little, realizing it had left her mouth. She sat up slightly, as if to pull it back, to explain it away.
But Jade stopped her with a hand.
“You don’t have to take it back,” she said gently. “I heard you.”
Leah looked at her—unsure. Scared. Exposed.
But Jade wasn’t scared.
She looked right back and whispered, just as softly:
“I think I love you too.”
And then they didn’t speak.
They didn’t need to.
They just leaned into each other, forehead to forehead, breaths slow and synchronized, hearts louder than words.
Some love doesn’t need a big moment.
Sometimes it slips out in the quiet,
when no one’s trying to be brave—
and that’s what makes it true.
Especially when they’re real.")
It was late.
Later than usual, even for them.
The streets outside Jade’s apartment had emptied to that soft, blue hour where even the city seemed to take a breath. Inside, everything was still. Peaceful. Dim.
Leah lay on Jade’s bed, one arm flung across a pillow, her hair messy from sleep and laughter. Jade sat beside her, cross-legged, watching the rise and fall of Leah’s chest like she couldn’t believe this was real.
It wasn’t a dramatic night.
No declarations. No big turning point.
Just shared space. Shared quiet. Shared safety.
And sometimes, that’s where the heart speaks loudest.
Leah’s voice broke the silence first, heavy with sleep. “You ever get scared when it’s finally good?”
Jade looked down at her. “All the time.”
Leah turned onto her side to face her, blinking slowly. “Then why do you still stay?”
Jade smiled—small, soft, real.
“Because you’re worth the fear.”
That answer—so simple, so unflinching—made Leah’s throat go tight.
She didn’t respond. Not out loud.
Just stared at Jade for a long second too long.
And that’s when it happened.
Barely above a whisper. Almost too quiet to hear.
But Jade did.
“I think I love you.”
Leah hadn’t meant to say it. Not like that. Not so sudden. Not with a voice that trembled at the end.
Her eyes widened a little, realizing it had left her mouth. She sat up slightly, as if to pull it back, to explain it away.
But Jade stopped her with a hand.
“You don’t have to take it back,” she said gently. “I heard you.”
Leah looked at her—unsure. Scared. Exposed.
But Jade wasn’t scared.
She looked right back and whispered, just as softly:
“I think I love you too.”
And then they didn’t speak.
They didn’t need to.
They just leaned into each other, forehead to forehead, breaths slow and synchronized, hearts louder than words.
Some love doesn’t need a big moment.
Sometimes it slips out in the quiet,
when no one’s trying to be brave—
and that’s what makes it true.
End of Almost Love, Then Everything Chapter 39. Continue reading Chapter 40 or return to Almost Love, Then Everything book page.