Of course she didn't want him to leave. And having the conformation she needed made that even more imperative. A feeling of complete and total happiness washed over her as she gently pressed her fingers to his lips and a bright smile came over her own. "Richard...well, I guess it would depend on your definition of odd, but I certainly don't think that this will make things odd between us." Dear God, she couldn't remember the last time she'd been this ridiculously happy. And less than five minutes ago, she'd never have thought it would happen. Ever. Richard? In love with her? Apparently it was a lot more likely than she'd assumed.
She let out a laugh, unable to stop it. She was so giddy right now, it was a shock she was able to form any coherent thoughts. She removed her fingers from his lips to brush those few stray hairs off of his forehead again, then rested her hand on his shoulder. "I love you. I'm in love with you. I have been for a long time," she said softly. She was such a fool. She could have told him sooner and saved them both all this trouble. But better late than never. Definitely better late than never. Now that she knew he reciprocated her feelings, she couldn't imagine how she'd ever thought that she could be happy without him.