and I still don’t believe it.
He leans in a little, eyes soft as they settle,
brow ticking up. “‘Course I’m here.”
Then he gestures at me with both hands,
as if I’m taking too long.
“You gonna keep starin’ or walk your ass over here and let me hold you?”
I take one step.
And another.
Ice-cold breath frosts my throat.
The city air pricks my skin.
And then I’m colliding
right into him.
I bury my face in his chest?—
all cotton and cologne.
All heat and heartbeat.
His arms pull me in, wrap around me.
And then I’m on my toes,
pressing my face into his neck.
He rocks me once, a full-body hush,
kissing the side of my head.
And then he breathes out into my hair.
“You okay?” he asks.
I nod.
He kisses my head again.
“No, but are you really okay?”
I nod again.
He pulls me closer, my hips against his.
One arm stays locked around my waist.
The other drags up
until his hand cups the back of my head.
