She smacked my chest lightly. "Not for that. Well, not just for that." She bit her lip. "For making me feel special. Like I'm the only one who matters when we're together."
Something tightened in my chest. Because she was telling the truth—when I was with Naomi, she was the only one who mattered. Despite the complicated web of relationships I was weaving, despite the strategic value of her Silver-tier essence, despite everything the System demanded of me... in moments like this, it really was just about her.
"You are special," I said, the words feeling strange and true on my tongue. "More than you know."
She studied my face, like she was searching for a lie and not finding one. Then she smiled, that genuine Naomi smile that crinkled the corners of her eyes and made my stomach do weird flips.
"You're not so bad yourself, Monroe."
I laughed. "High praise indeed."
