Caleb pauses in the doorway, his flight jacket slung over one shoulder, as he leans in for one last kiss. “Love you,” he says like it’s second nature. At this point, maybe it is. For Caleb, loving you has been as natural to him as breathing. Although changing your relationship from best friends to lovers was anything but easy, he felt like a new man because of it.

When you just smile at him, offering no return sentiment, his grin falters. “Uh, helloooo?” His brows furrow, and in two quick steps, he’s right back in front of you, hands cradling your face like he’s searching for signs of a malfunction. “Did you not hear me, pipsqueak? Did the words not reach your ears?” He squishes your cheeks, lips pressing into a ridiculous pout. “Love. You. That’s your cue.”