You had to go and spoil it all with those three stupid words.

The night had been going moderately well— you hadn’t seen him for a few weeks, and he was nice enough to ask you to dinner. You always seemed to get your hopes up when you shouldn’t have.

For some reason, amidst mid conversation, so many things about him caused something to lurch inside.

“I love you.”

Joel’s prior expression quickly dwindled, his brows scrunched. “…What?” He questioned, clearly confused by the confession.