Page 132 of No Need to Run
I see it then. The longing.
He wants something to come home to.
Something that's his.
Aside from me, of course.
He just doesn't know it yet.
“I can take it,” I say. “Keep it at my house until you move in.”
Drew stares at me, mouth falling slightly open. “Y-You will?”
“Yeah.” I shrug like it’s no big deal.
Because it isn’t.
Callie won’t mind. She loves animals.
And it will only be temporary until Drew moves in.
For a few beats, I see hope in his eyes.
But then it’s gone, replaced by fear. “What if it belongs to someone?”
“I can take it to the animal shelter and have them scan for a chip. That way you’ll know before you get attached.”
He strokes the kitten’s fur again, a look of adoration on his face.
Mr. Pickles growls, then lets out an angry meow.
“Okay. But only if I can drive you and the kitten home.”
“Drew, I?—”
“No arguing.”
I bite back a smile.
Fine. I’ll come back for the motorcycle later.
It would’ve been hard to ride it home with a kitten anyway.
He reaches into his plaid pajama bottoms and pulls out his car keys.
“Why do you have your keys?” I ask, playing dumb.
“I like to be prepared. I always grab them before I go out. In case I get locked out.”
I give him a soft smile.
That's my Drew. Always prepared.
Except for me.
29
DREW
