Page 21 of Here's to Now

Run or stay. Run or stay.

Twenty-one…twenty-two…twenty-three…

Stay.

Run.

STAY.

Forty-six…forty-seven…forty-eight…

No, run.

No. I’m staying. Ihaveto stay.

Sixty.

I take a hesitant step forward.Last chance, Gaige. Run or stay?

She’s sober.

She’s also dressed for bed, makeup free, wearing a Disney sweater and hot pink pants, her hair in a messy bun atop her head. She looks ridiculous. And adorable.

“You came.”

I nod, unable to speak.

“You can walk in farther than that.”

Her words spur my movements as I walk to where she is on the couch, taking a seat next to her. I’d typically relax, lounging back with my legs spread wide, occupying all the space I can. Instead, I sit at the edge of the cushion, my spine stiff and straight.

She rests her hand on my arm. “Relax.”

“I can’t.”

“You can.”

“What is this?” I glance over to see her eyes are calm, nothing like my wild gaze.

“It’s…” She pauses, pursing her lips. “I don’t know.”

“Why did you ask me over?”

“I—”

“Don’t say you don’t know,” I interrupt.

“I’m not sure.” Her lips twitch, just at the corners. She’s fighting a smile, and I can’t help but fight my own.

“Clever.”

“I think I just wanted company.”

I stare at her, searching her eyes for the truth, for the hidden meaning mixed into her words. I see none. She just honestly wants the company.Mycompany. “Why? Why me?”

Haley shrugs. “It felt…good last night.”

“You don’t know how it felt. You were drunk.”

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