Page 23 of Come Apart
She sighs. "I have this assignment... from my therapist. To do a food challenge."
"Oh yeah?"
This sounds like a big deal. Like a huge deal.
And she wants to include me.
"Have you heard of it?" Her voice is soft, unsure.
"No. But I want to help if I can."
"It's not a big deal." She shakes her head like even she doesn't believe that. "I eat a small portion of something that would normally be off limits. One cookie or one scoop of ice cream or something like that."
I rub my thumb against her fingers. "That sounds like a big step."
"It's easy in theory." She grimaces at her own words. "Well, not easy. But simple. I eat the food and I sit there. I don't binge or purge."
There is so much need in her eyes, a vulnerability that makes me want to just hold her tight.
"All you have to do is babysit." She pulls her hands to her lap, shifting like she's uncomfortable. "Sit there with me. Keep me distracted if I start freaking out. Can you do it?"
I brush my fingertips against her cheek. "Of course, Ally."
My body is lighter than air. She's asking for my help. Finally. She's always so tight-lipped about this, but she's letting me in now.
"It's not a big deal."
It's almost like she's trying to convince herself of that.
"Okay." I nod. "Thanks for telling me."
"Luke..." Her voice is shaky.
"Yes?"
"Don't make it a big deal, okay?" she whispers.
I nod. It's clearly a big deal, a huge deal, but she's scared. Arguing is only going to make that worse.
I understand battling demons that just won't fucking quit.
What we need here is a distraction.
Worrying about it before it happens is only going to set her up for more anxiety.
And I know just the thing. I grip her hips and pull her closer, until her chest is only six inches from my mouth, until her knees are pressed against my hips.
Damn, her tank top is so thin. It's straining against her chest and she's not wearing a bra. And those boxer shorts—my boxer shorts—are riding up her legs, exposing every inch of her thighs.
Her eyes connect with mine as I slide my jacket off my shoulders and down my arms.
I let it fall on the floor behind me and I scoot closer to her, until there's only an inch between my mouth and her chest.
Her fingers brush my neck. "Luke."
"Mhmm?" I slide my hands over the soft skin of her shoulders.
I pull her straps off her shoulders. Down her arms. Her tank top pulls with it.
