Nicklaus gawed at her in disbelief. His lips slightly parted, and he stood there unblinking, trying to process the words Arissa just asked. His heart stopped and his mind panicked.
Staring at him, hard knots constricted her throat, making it hard for her to breathe. A sticking wave of terror welled up from her belly when she recollected what she had just asked him.
"Forget I said that," she looked down to her feet, "I should not have asked that, it was a thoughtless question,"
Nicklaus did not say a word in acceptance or denial. However, his lips parted to say a word or more but only air escaped his lips and it broke Arissa further. She had always known she was alone with her feelings.
"I understand." she smiled brightly, "You love me but you're not in love with me," she concluded that he loved her to feel better.
Creation is hard, cheer me up! VOTE for me!