“Thanks, Ray,” I say, nodding.
Ray sits down near Selina and glances at Kit. “What’s up with the kid?”
I shrug, acting like I’m watching whatever nonsense is on the TV. “He’s just freaking out because I told him I love him.”
Kit groans softly and hides his face gently against my chest, curling in like he wants to disappear.
Ray coughs loudly and Selina stands up so fast she nearly spills her beer. “Excuse me?!”
Lorraine laughs, warm and fond. “Iknewit.”
I raise a brow at all of them. “What are you, children?”
Ray shakes his head, grinning. “No, just… never thought we’d see the day, to be honest.”
Selina scoffs and crosses her arms. “Rude. It’s adorable, and we care.”
I wave a hand. “Sit down,Jesus.”
I lean my head back against the armchair, feeling more content than I have in weeks. My hand runs slowly up and down Kit’s back in soothing strokes. I can feel him gradually relaxing against me, his body melting into mine like maybe he actually wants to be here with me.
I won’t pressure him to say it back. I won’t make him feel uncomfortable. I just hold him closer and let the quiet chatter of the room wash over us.
Kit
I’ve been curled up on Soren’s lap for about ten minutes now, his large hand slowly stroking up and down my waist in a steady, soothing rhythm. It feels…weird, nice, but weird. I’m still reeling…Soren loves me?No, he couldn’t have actually said that. I must have imagined it in the heat of everything. My brain is a mess.
Lorraine catches my eye from across the room and tilts her head gently. “Would you like a drink, dear?”
As she asks, she makes a small motion with her hand, clearly inviting me to come with her.
I smile softly and answer quietly, “Sure.”
From the corner of my eye, I see Soren’s eyes open, but I stand up anyway, careful not to move too fast. His hand instantly catches the waistband of the oversized sweatpants I’m wearing, stopping me from stepping away.
“Where are you going?”
I blush instantly, heat flooding my face. I still don’t know how to act around this version of Soren… the one who’s soft and attentive and says things like “I love you.”
I clear my throat and point toward Lorraine, who’s now watching us with an amused grin, an empty cup in one hand and the other planted on her hip. “I’m just going to get a drink,” I mumble.
Soren glances at Lorraine, then back at me, and lets out a low grunt. After a second, he releases my waistband.
I follow Lorraine out of the living room, too embarrassed to meet anyone’s eyes on the way. The second we’re in the hallway I let out a quiet sigh of relief, grateful for even a small bit of space.
Lorraine chuckles softly as we walk toward the kitchen. “I thought you might like a little breathing room and the company of a nosy old lady.”
I laugh, but it pulls at the stitches and sends a sharp sting through my face. I immediately drop my head, trying to hide the wince.
When we enter the kitchen, Lorraine pats one of the stools at the island. “Sit.”
I do, as she turns to fill the kettle and says over her shoulder, “You’re doing incredibly well, you know.”
I watch her move around the kitchen. “What do you mean?”
She leans against the counter, eyes kind. “For one, you must have an impressive pain tolerance. I think I would have vomited or passed out many times by now.”
She says it with a gentle laugh.
