A small part of Zach was relieved that Jo hadn’t immediately balked at his lack of expertise. She wouldn’t have been the first woman who had laughed at him. She’d simply accepted him, flaws included, as he was, and it made a part of his heart stir with a renewed fondness and respect. Maybe it would be alright to let her in, to allow her to fill that space that had only known yearning.

When she pulled away, he didn’t pursue, though he was reluctant for the embrace to end. Zach stood, eyes locked with hers as she spoke. He struggled to summon a reply; How could she have known then? He certainly hadn’t. Had he? Just maybe. Or at least known he wanted something more than just exchanging letters.

"You…" He started to say, but the initial question of ‘you have?’ dissipated, making way for something that drifted across his lips before his brain fully processed it. "I have, too." It just took until now to realize it.