Page 183 of No Need to Run
I settle beside him again, tucking one leg beneath me as I set the bowl between us.
He glances at it, then at me. A faint smile tugs at his mouth. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to.”
He studies me for a second longer than necessary, like he’s trying to figure something out.
Then he exhales and reaches for a handful. “Thanks.”
I nod, picking up the remote. “You mind?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
He shakes his head. “Go ahead.”
I scroll for a moment before selectingMoneyball.
When I press play, he huffs out a quiet laugh. “Of course you picked that.”
“It fits you.”
“Yeah?” he asks, leaning back into the couch.
I glance at him. “Structured. Analytical. Quietly stubborn.”
His lips twitch. “That sounds like an insult.”
“It’s not.”
It’s an observation.
He doesn’t argue.
The movie plays.
And slowly… he relaxes.
His shoulders loosen. His breathing evens out.
We reach into the bowl at the same time. Our fingers graze and he jerks his gaze to mine.
He slowly moves his hand. “Go ahead.”
With a smile, I take a handful.
He goes back in, taking a larger handful.
His attention returns to the movie. Mine stays on him.
When the popcorn is gone, he takes a long drink of his soda before slouching against the couch, getting comfortable.
A few minutes later, his head tips slightly to the side. His eyes close.
I watch the steady rise and fall of his chest.
He’s asleep.
I don’t move.
I just watch him.
