an honest ask

“I need you to do something for me,” she said.
“What?” he asked.
“I need you to look me in the eyes and tell me you love me,” she said.
“You don’t need to ask for that,” he answered.
She nodded, and said, “Yes, I do. And I am.”
He took a moment, then said, “I love you,” looking into her eyes.
She looked back at him, into him, and kept her gaze there for longer than was comfortable. “Not the way I want,” she said, shaking her head, gently.
“You can’t see that, like this,” he said.
“I can,” she answered. “I do.”
He smiled, trying to lighten the moment, and asked, “Can I get a second try?”
She shook her head. Her voice was a whisper. “No. I’m sorry. You can’t.”