Page 271 of No Need to Run
“The car rushed past. Close enough that I felt the air shift.” I exhale slowly. “My heart pounded so hard I couldn’t catch my breath.”
His eyes are locked with mine.
“You told me to pay attention.”
A faint flicker of recognition.
“It wasn’t harsh,” I add. “Just… steady.”
His throat moves.
“I looked up,” I continue, quieter now, “and you were staring at me like you actually cared whether I was okay.”
There’s a pause as we stare at one another.
"I remember," he murmurs, recognition dawning in his eyes. "That's why you always seemed familiar."
“Yes.” A small smile touches my lips. “Some part of you remembered me.”
My smile fades. Sadness washes over me.
“You nodded. Like it was nothing.”
The space between us narrows.
“The light changed,” I say. “People started moving again.”
I hold his gaze.
“And your hand slipped from my arm.”
The silence is heavy between us.
“And you were gone.”
His breath slows.
“Like it didn’t matter,” I finish softly.
I look away.
Even now, I hate admitting how much it did.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers. “I was young. And already involved with Julia.”
I nod. “I didn’t know that at the time. I just knew... you made an impact.”
He tightens his embrace, emotion in his eyes.
It’s time he knew the truth.
The whole story.
“I thought that was it. That I’d never see you again.”
There’s a flash of pain in his eyes.
"For weeks, I caught myself looking for you everywhere.” I release a quiet breath. “I couldn't stop thinking about the stranger who'd pulled me back. But I thought I’d never see you again.”
