The sense of relief he felt wasn't all that unexpected, really. To have finally said the words he knew he had needed, wanted, to say, was a weight lifted. Paula's words to him that day would never be something he would forget. That it was just three simple words, that life was too short not to tell someone you loved them when you did. It turned out she'd been right. He knew he'd always liked her for a reason.
Her kiss was more than welcome, and as his hand slid to the back of her hair, the feeling of relief alone translated in to something more like happiness.