Page 101 of No Need to Run

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She hums softly under her breath as she drives, her fingers tapping lightly against the steering wheel. She’s confident and relaxed.

Unlike me.

I feel that familiar twist in my chest again.

She’s out of my league.

Beautiful. Polished. Effortless.

And me?

I frown slightly, shifting in my seat.

I’m just… me.

Someone whose life revolves around routine. Structure. Numbers.

And I wonder if whatever this is will ever work between us.

The thought makes me sadder than it should.

She pulls into a softly lit parking lot and kills the engine.

I glance up at the building.Nocturne.

The name of the restaurant glows in understated gold against a dark backdrop. It’s the kind of swanky place you make reservations for weeks in advance.

“Come on,” she says, already stepping out.

I follow, adjusting my jacket as we walk toward the entrance.

Inside, the world shifts.

Candlelight flickers across polished surfaces. Soft music fills the quiet space.

Everything is… refined.

Violet greets the hostess and gives her name.

I swallow hard.

This is a mistake. I don’t belong here.

Then her warm, steady hand finds mine, grounding me.

I glance down at our hands, then up at her.

Violet smiles at me, leaving me dazed. She gently tugs me forward like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

I move, my hand still clenched in hers.

We’re seated near the back, away from the main flow of people. It’s more private. Quieter.

I take in the space again, trying not to look like I’ve never been somewhere like this before.

I try not to fidget, but fail.

She watches me for a moment, then tilts her head slightly. “What do you think?”

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