Page 47 of In the Long Run
19
GEN
What’s the proper protocol when you stumble across a real-life unicorn?Receipts or it didn’t happen?That’s what the cool kids say, right?I follow the deep timbre of Knox’s voice out the front door of the apartment building, pausing while I’m mostly hidden behind the whitewashed brick exterior wall that makes up one side of Eugene’s front courtyard.My Tuesday afternoon just got so much better.
Knox is reading to Eugene, who sits next to him, his injured foot resting on another chair, face tipped up towards the sun, his eyes closed, a serene expression on his face.Madeleine and Chouquette are curled underneath Eugene’s chair, like two halves of a circle.I don’t recognise the book, but if Knox ever wanted to leave the Army, he’d have a solid future as an audiobook narrator or voiceover artist.And if he joined in on the wave of popular romances Celeste has started sending me TikToks about, people would probably get pregnant.
After another few sentences, Knox stops, rests the thick book against his chest and rolls his neck from one shoulder to the other.‘Are you asleep?’he asks Eugene, who snores in response.Knox leans back and stretches his legs in front of him.As his own eyes close, Madeleine spots me and springs up, barking.
Busted.
‘Hi.’I attempt the nonchalant tone I’ve never been good at and wave when Knox looks up.
I’d like to kiss you, Gen.
He stands, quickly rearranges the blanket that’s covering Eugene and meets me at the fence line.
‘How’s he doing?’I ask.
Knox looks over his shoulder, his expression tender.‘Eug has gotten used to having an afternoon nap.’
‘Do you read to him often?’
‘Most days.He used to read to me when I first moved in with him.I was a bit of a shit.’Knox’s lips twist into a wry smile.‘Ever since I moved away, we’ve tried to read the same books.Kind of like our own little book club.’
Oh no.Imagining Knox in full Army get-up, making notes in a paperback to talk about with Eugene later might actually make me swoon.‘That’s really nice of you.’
He shrugs, modest as always.‘It’s nice for both of us.’
He really is a nice guy.It’s reassuring to know I wasn’t wrong about that.
‘What are you up to?’Knox asks.
‘I’m headed to the gym.’Strength training’s not my favourite, but I want to support Meredith and Bernie, and everyone says how beneficial it is for runners, so I make a point to sling some weights around each week.
Knox nods and steps back from the fence, his hands sliding into the pockets of his sweats.He’s dressed for the gym too.Mere mentioned that he’d started coming to some of their classes.
I can do this.Take another step towards trusting myself.Trusting him.‘Do you want to come?’
He checks his watch.It’s just before four.‘Let me wake Eug and check if he needs me for the next hour or so.He should get up anyway.Sleeping in these chairs will fuck up his backand neck.All the sitting and lying has already caused hip issues and the physio said …’ Knox stops, squeezes his eyes shut and cringes.‘Sorry.I’m becoming one of those people who obsessively charts everything about someone else and then overshares.’
‘It means you care, Knox.That’s not a bad thing.Eugene’s lucky to have you.’
His shoulders relax and he looks at Eugene.There’s that soft smile again.‘I’m the lucky one.Give me a few minutes to get him back inside and settled?’
‘Do you want me to take Madeleine and Chouquette for a quick walk?Meet back here in fifteen?’
‘I took them for a run this morning, but I’m sure they’d love another wander.Thanks, Gen.’
‘You’re welcome.’
His gaze dips to my lips.
I’d like to kiss you, Gen.
Oh God, is he going to kiss me now?Am I ready for that?Why did I have a tuna sandwich for lunch?I breathe out slowly, trying to sniff my breath covertly and Eugene stirs.
Knox steps back reluctantly.‘I’ll get their leads.’
