That was all?
“So no touching!” I said immediately, nodding like my head was on springs. “Promise!”
Her shoulders loosened in relief.
That killed me.
That she expected disappointment—expected to lose people over this.
She smiled again, and the whole hallway felt brighter.
I would’ve sworn the air got lighter.
Or maybe that was just me.
I’d do anything for her.
Anything at all.
She went to get changed in her room and I went through the selection.
I flipped through the stack until I found it—one of the greats.
When she stepped back out, she’d changed into soft grey pants and a loose white long-sleeved shirt that hung off her like a cloud. Her gloves were back on. Clean ones. She looked smaller somehow, softer. Tired.
She paused when she saw the DVD in my hand.
“Bring It On?”she said, eyebrows lifting.
I nodded enthusiastically. “I learned the routine. Want me to show you?”
“No! No, Ash. Please.” A laugh escaped her—light, real, tired. “Relax. Sit.”
She gestured to the couch.
I dropped onto it instantly, then grabbed a cushion and wedged it between us like a barrier—not because I wanted it, but becausesheneeded it.
Her shoulders eased when she saw it.
Good.
I could do this.
I could do anything if it meant she felt safe.
So we settled in.
And we watched.
It didn’t take long for her breathing to slow, her head tipping slightly toward the cushion barrier between us. Within minutes, she was asleep.
For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel the need to move.
No jittering leg.
No tapping fingers.
No urge to bounce or pace or burn off the fire under my skin.
