Page 85 of No Need to Run

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“Never,” Ivy says over her shoulder with a smile.

And I just sit there, watching it all unfold, trying to understand how something that should feel strange… doesn’t.

Somehow, Violet didn’t just come to dinner.

She settled into my life.

And I let her.

18

VIOLET

The fire burns low,embers glowing against the dark as laughter lingers in the air.

Drew laughs at something Sebastian says while Ivy leans comfortably against her husband.

For the first time in my life...

I'm not watching from the outside.

I'm part of it.

The realization settles deep in my chest, warm and steady.

I glance at the time on my phone.

10:30 p.m.

Time to go.

Even though I really want to stay.

Every instinct tells me to.

But if I leave now, he’ll miss me.

I’ll just have to settle for sleeping in his shirt. For now.

At least it still smells like him. Like soap and cedarwood. I smelled it before I arrived here. It was comforting.

“I should probably head out,” I say, my voice soft but certain.

Drew’s gaze shifts to me immediately. There’s a flicker of disappointment because I’m leaving. Exactly as I predicted.

“That late already?” Ivy asks, looking at Sebastian.

“Yes.” I stand up and stretch. “I have an early morning,” I say, my gaze skimming over Drew.

A partial truth is still a truth.

No one here knows my mornings begin with watching Drew... and usually end the same way.

“I’ll walk you to your car,” Drew says, already standing beside me.

I nod at him, then give Sebastian and Ivy a smile. “Goodnight. Thanks for the lovely dinner and company.”

Ivy gets up and hugs me. “You’re welcome. Come by anytime.”

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