All the times Ray had imagined that moment it had been him spilling his guts first and Asher looking thoroughly unimpressed. It was a little pessimistic, which wasn't his usual take when it came to love, but this was Asher, the personification of a closed book.

When Asher's hand fell away though, Ray's eyes went straight to it, like it was a sign he was missing the boat. So when he shot up, his tone was hurried, and Asher's hand was grasped in his and pulled up with him.

"Who's silent? Not me." Hadn't Asher wanted him to be quieter? "You love me?" Ray's mind was racing and he was more breathless now than he had been thirty seconds ago. "You love me," he echoed, realisation in his voice.