Page 78 of Unmade

“Why are you dying?”

“Because you probably just fist-bump non-dying friends,” I said.

He snickered and finally dragged himself off the couch. “You’re insane.”

“That’s not new. Get over here.” I faked a couple coughs. “I’m fading quick.”

He smiled ruefully, with just a bit of wariness lingering in his eyes. “This isn’t necessary. And I actually lied. Alex has hugged me a few times.”

“I know that girl’s hugs. Mine are better.” Once I had him within reach, I grabbed his arm and pulled him closer. “We’re gonna turn this into an exercise. You have until midnight tonight to initiate two hugs, not counting this one. I’m clearly the instigator here.” I gathered his arms around my midsection before I wrapped my own around him. “Stop me if it makes you uncomfortable, all right?”

He nodded once but said nothing, except— “No, like this,” he mumbled and slipped his hands up my shoulders instead, and he locked them around my neck.

Now we’re talking.“There we go.” I tightened my hold on him and brushed my fingers closer to the sides of his back. He felt a little too fucking good in my arms, the way I completely enveloped him.

I closed my eyes as I realized how much this was for me too. It was entirely different from having my sister or mother hug me. Kristen too. This felt closer and much more intimate.

I exhaled and sensed him relaxing too.

I let one hand roam his back, and I couldn’t get over how good he felt against me. The thought of spending a whole night with him like this made me wanna push the envelope further, but I wasn’t going to. By the end of the day, I’d have two more hugs with him, and then I’d come up with a more appropriate challenge. Maybe I could suggest he started thinking about which Quinn to reach out to. He could write an email and let it sit there. He didn’t have to send it right away.

I reckoned the best thing I could do for him was push him toward his family.

A shiver ran down my spine when I felt his fingers brush over the back of my neck, and based on how he stiffened right after, I automatically held him a little tighter. I couldn’t help it. He’d probably done it by accident, but I didn’t want him to think I— Aw, goddammit. My phone buzzed.

“You’re vibrating.”

“Yeah,” I muttered, reluctantly releasing him.

He was quick to ease off and look away, and I pulled out my phone. Motherfucking phone.

Message from Shira.

I have an update. Come see me when you can. I’m in my office.

Fuck. It better be good.

“I, uh…” I cleared my throat. “I gotta head upstairs.” I should check in on Alex too.

“Okay. Um. I think I’ll go to the rooftop for some fresh air,” Leighton said. “The windowless thing messes me up sometimes.”

I nodded, feeling the same way. If the units across the hall hadn’t been taken, I would’ve moved us by now.

CHAPTER 6

September 29th, 2024

Leighton Watts

Ethan Quinn had uploaded approximately a hundred new posts since I’d last checked about two months ago. He was definitely prolific on social. Then again, he was promoting his fitness center, so he had to be out there.

I sat up straight in the lounger when I saw one of the photos.

His wife was pregnant again.

It was a regular gym selfie, aside from the small fact that he was lifting his laughing wife in the picture, rather than weights. And the caption read, “I’m working out for two.”

I grinned instinctively, sucked into a world I didn’t know, and I scrolled to the next photo where their toddler son was making a mean face and holding a one-pound pastel-yellow dumbbell. “Excited to become a big brother,” it said. The photo was also a reminder that all active service members and veterans could sign up for free physical rehabilitation training, something I’d seen him promote before.

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