Page 153 of No Need to Run
Sebastian’s gaze shifts from the cat to me.
He pushes off the wall and moves toward the kitchen. “Anyone want anything?”
“I’m good,” Ivy says.
Drew shakes his head.
I do the same, but Sebastian lingers a second too long, his attention settling on me. “You always this good with animals?”
I hold his gaze.
“Yes. I used to have a cat and a dog. Our cat passed away first, then the dog. My sister and I were too heartbroken to get another.” My gaze drops to Luna. “Until now.”
A beat passes.
He nods once and walks into the kitchen.
He’s not convinced, but that’s alright. Time will handle that.
Ivy shifts beside me. “You have to bring Luna by again.”
I look at Drew before I answer.
He watches me, waiting for my response.
"If Drew invites us,” I say softly.
I let the moment breathe, not saying anything.
Something changes in his expression. A subtle shift, like he wasn’t expecting me to hand that choice to him.
“I will,” he says.
My pulse hums under my skin.
Ivy beams like she had nothing to do with it. “Perfect. Then it’s settled.”
I let my fingers trail lightly over Luna’s back.
This is how it happens.
Not all at once, but in small, layered moments.
Until one day, it no longer feels strange for me to be here with Drew and his family.
Until it just feels right.
Natural.
Inevitable.
I glance down at Mr. Pickles.
He’s still sitting beside the couch, close enough that his tail brushes the leg of my jeans every now and then, like even he’s gotten tired of pretending to be indifferent.
More progress.
Eventually, I rise, carefully placing Luna back in her carrier.
