Page 51 of No Need to Run
I reach over and grab his hand. “Not at all. Tell me.”
He looks relieved. “He makes me feel like I belong.”
My heart pounds faster.
That’s exactly what I want, too. To belong to someone. To belong tohim.
I squeeze his hand. “You do.”
Drew squeezes my hand back. “Thanks, Violet. I’m glad you don’t think I’m a wimp.”
“Not at all.”
I sit back, watching Drew finish his pastry.
“I’d like to meet Mr. Pickles sometime.”
Drew’s hand goes over his mouth as he starts laughing. He manages to swallow without spitting any of it out.
“Sorry. I’m not laughing at you.” He grabs a napkin and wipes his mouth. “Did you hear the part about the cat hating everyone?”
“I heard. He wouldn’t hate me, though.”
“Oh no?” A challenge glimmers in Drew’s eyes. “Wanna bet?”
“Sure. If I win, you go to dinner with me.”
He gapes at me, mouth opening and closing like a fish, before he says, “Okay. Um... yeah. Sure.”
“And if you win…” I lean closer. “What do you want, Drew?”
His eyes are wide. He looks like it’s his birthday and Christmas rolled into one.
“Um… well… you go to the movies with me.”
“Done.” I hold out my hand, and he takes it, shaking it.
His phone beeps. He pulls it out and reads it. “Shit. I should get back to work.”
“I’ve distracted you long enough.”
“Yeah.” His smile is teasing. “But I didn’t mind.”
I smile. “Good. I’m not sorry.”
He chuckles.
I really, really like that sound. I could listen to it for the rest of my life.
“I enjoyed this. Very much.” He stands and grabs our empty trash. “But I should probably get home and actually do some work.”
“Ah. Okay.” I stand, watching as he hurries to a trash can.
When he returns, I say, “I need to text my sister.”
He pauses. “Why?”
“I didn’t drive today,” I say casually.
