Quen pulled away, but not very much. Her arms were still around him, and her body was still pressed against his.
"Merri," She said, slightly out of breath from the excitement and the kiss and nervousness for what she was about to say. "I- I love you. I've loved you for a long time. And I know what you're going to say. You're going to say you love me too, like a sister. But I don't love you like that, Merri. I'm in love with you."
She broke off, then, waiting with a mixture of dread and longing for his reaction.