ARIA

Kane moved at last.

He crossed the room quietly, like he always did. He did hesitate at all.

He lowered himself besides me on the floor Instead of pulling me up or telling me to sit somewhere more comfortable. That mattered more than I wanted to admit. How he'd brought himself down to sit with me.

The carpet wac cold beneath me my palms. For a moment, he didn't speak. He didn't crowd me either. Just sat close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating off him, so steady, so ...