“At lettingsomeone like me without immediately assuming they will stop,” she said.
I nodded once. “That makes sense.”
Jane’s shoulders lifted in a small shrug. “Does it?”
“Yes,” I answered simply. “If the people you trusted made you doubt yourself, you learn to protect yourself. You stop expecting kindness to last.”
Her eyes widened slightly, then softened. “You say that like it’s obvious.”
“It is to me,” I replied. “Because I do the same thing. I just do it differently.”
Jane’s gaze held mine. “How?”
I exhaled slowly. “I assume people will like me until they don’t. Then I assume I caused it so I try harder. I get friendlier and more agreeable. I become even easier to be around so they won't leave.”
Jane looked startled, then thoughtful. “That sounds painful.”
“It can be,” I admitted. “It is also exhausting. And it doesn't really work.”
Jane’s mouth curved slightly, a sad little smile. “No. It doesn’t.”
We stood close, not touching, both aware of the space between us. I lifted my hand slightly, then stopped myself. I wanted this to move at a pace that felt safe for her. For both of us.
“You’re being careful again,” Jane observed.
“With you,” I admitted. “Yes.”
Her smile softened. “I like that.”
A gust of wind picked up briefly and she shivered, arms tightening around herself.
Without overthinking it, I took off my scarf and placed it around her neck. I was careful not to brush her skin too much, but my fingers still grazed the edge of her collar.
Jane’s eyes lifted to mine. “You will freeze.”
“As long as you’re warm that’s okay,” I replied.
She gave a quiet laugh, and it sounded like relief.
We turned back toward the pool house and walked together, unhurried. At the steps, she paused and turned slightly toward me.
“Braxton.”
“Yes.”
“I am glad you are here,” she told me.
“So am I,” I replied.
I wanted to say more. I wanted to tell her that the last few days had rearranged something in my life I had assumed was fixed in place. I wanted to tell her that I had been measuring my future in obligations and expectations, and now I was measuring it in the sound of her laugh and the warmth of her hand in mine.
Jane looked back at me. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” I replied.
She started up the stairs, then paused once and looked back again, like she wanted to make sure I was still there.
I was.
