Page 273 of No Need to Run
“I stood close enough to see your name on your debit card.”
Then I kept following you.
But I don’t say the words aloud.
Not yet.
He exhales slowly, dragging a hand through his hair.
“Violet.” The way he says my name is different now. Like he’s trying to fit the pieces together and realizing there are more of them than he thought. "You've been following me?"
“I prefer consistently aware of your location.”
His eyes narrow, studying me. "None of this is normal."
"No."
Silence settles between us.
His gaze searches mine as though he's trying to reconcile the woman standing before him with everything I just admitted.
He blows out a rough breath.
"I..." He laughs once, nervously. "I don't even know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything."
Another long silence stretches between us.
"I should leave." He looks at me. “This. Us.”
I stare at him. “There’s no need.”
His brows furrow. “No need for what?”
“To run.”
Silence settles between us, different now.
“You don’t have to be careful with me,” I say quietly.
His breath catches.
“I already know you.”
That’s what matters.
That’s what makes this different.
And this time?
I’m not losing him.
Not to her.
Not to hesitation.
Not to the doubts she left behind.
