Page 175 of No Need to Run
“What are you doing?” he says to my retreating back.
“Unpacking some of your clothes,” I call over my shoulder.
I hear his footsteps following me.
“What?” He catches up to me in the bedroom. “I can do that.”
“I’m sure you can.” I set the box on the floor near the bed. “But I’ve got it. Why don’t you start unpacking some of the others?”
“I don’t like people touching my clothes.”
He nearly trips over Luna, who darts in and attacks one of his shoelaces.
He stumbles, catching himself on the doorframe.
My mouth twitches.
I crouch by the box and peel back the flaps.
His voice drops. “My boxers are in there.”
I slowly lift my gaze to him. “Oh, the horror. I might melt if I see a pair of men’s underwear.”
Besides, I’ve already seen them.
But he doesn’t need to know that yet.
His face does something deeply satisfying. “Don’t say underwear.”
I blink at him. “Why not?”
“It’s…” He drags a hand through his hair. “It’s underwear.”
I tilt my head. “So you can say it, but I can’t?”
“That’s not—Violet. Just let me do it.”
I tilt the box slightly so he can see inside. “This box doesn’t have your underwear.”
His brows pull together. “What?”
I point toward the other box near the dresser. “It’s that one.”
He goes still.
“How do you know that?”
I look back down and pull out one of his shirts, sliding it onto a hanger. “I’m observant.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only one you’re getting.”
He exhales through his nose, standing there like he’s trying to decide whether I’m infuriating or fascinating. Possibly both.
I stand and carry the shirt to the closet.
As I pull out clothing, I begin organizing.
