Chapter 14 Noah #2
“Ciarán, this is Theo,” I say through a chuckle. “He owns Needle the event really took it out of him.
I make him tea and join him on the sofa. He’s sitting closer to the middle than usual, and our knees are close, not quite touching. I’m suddenly aware of how much space my body takes up on this couch.
And then Gabe’s pinkie brushes mine.
It’s the lightest touch—I think it’s an accident—but it lingers.
My pulse skyrockets. I stay perfectly still, staring in awe.
Slowly, deliberately, Gabe slides his hand over until his fingers find mine. Then he laces them together so carefully it makes my stomach swoop. His hand is warm, skin soft. His fingers fit so perfectly between mine, like they were made for each other. Two halves of a whole.
My breath catches as I study our interlocked fingers. My first thought is, don’t move. Don’t fuck this moment up.
The second thought is gut-punching—he chose this. He chose me.
He tilts sideways, and his head lands softly on my shoulder. “Is this okay?” His words are no more than air.
“More than okay.”
I squeeze his hand once.
Inside, I’m a mess. Hope relentlessly tries to gain purchase. I want to pull him into me, tell him how proud I am, how badly I want to keep earning moments like this—but I stay still. Let him hold my hand and lean on me for as long as he needs.
If this is all he can give me, I’ll take it.