~ Chapter 32 ~
Reed didn't leave.
Not after the crying.
Not after Eva calmed down.
Not after they sat on her bed in quiet, knees touching, hands still loosely tangled like neither of them quite knew how to let go.
He stayed because leaving felt wrong.
Because the idea of going back to his apartment and lying in a dark room alone felt unbearable.
Because Eva kept looking at him like he was something solid.
And Reed didn't take that lightly.
Eva changed into pajama shorts and one of his hoodies.
His.
The sight alone almost knocked the breath out of him.
Not in a horny way.
Not first.
In a that's mine way.
She climbed back onto the bed and sat beside him.
Close.
Not touching.
But close enough that he could feel the heat from her thigh through the fabric.
"You can stay," Eva said quietly, like she was nervous to ask.
Reed didn't pretend to think about it.
"Yeah."
Eva nodded, relief flashing across her face before she could hide it.
They lay down on their sides, facing each other.
Not spooning.
Not cuddling.
Just... existing.
The space between them felt charged anyway.
Eva traced the seam of the hoodie sleeve with her fingers.
Reed watched her.
He always watched her.
"You ever think about how weird it is," Eva said softly, "that two people can grow up completely separate... and then suddenly they're here?"
Reed nodded.
"Yeah."
"I used to think I'd just... know," she continued. "Like there'd be some huge sign."
Reed swallowed.
"What do you think now?"
Eva shrugged.
"I think it feels quiet. But big at the same time."
That landed in Reed's chest like a slow burn.
Quiet.
But big.
He knew that feeling.
He'd been living inside it for weeks.
Reed rolled onto his back, staring at her ceiling.
"My mom used to say love isn't loud," he said.
Eva turned slightly toward him.
"She said if it feels chaotic all the time, something's wrong."
Reed hadn't meant to say that.
But with Eva, things slipped out.
Easy.
"She said real love feels steady. Like you can breathe."
Eva's voice was barely a whisper.
"Does it?"
Reed turned his head.
Looked at her.
"Yeah."
Eva's eyes softened.
"So do you... breathe with me?"
Reed didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
The word felt too small.
But it was true.
Eva shifted closer.
Their knees touched.
Then her thigh rested against his.
Reed felt it everywhere.
Not just physically.
Emotionally.
His body knew before his brain did.
This girl was changing him.
He didn't want to be casual.
He didn't want to be half-in.
He didn't want temporary.
He wanted to wake up next to her.
He wanted to know her favorite breakfasts.
He wanted to learn her moods.
He wanted to be the person she went to when life got heavy.
That wasn't a crush.
That wasn't desire.
That was love.
The realization didn't scare him.
It anchored him.
Eva yawned softly.
"Can I..." she hesitated, cheeks pink. "Can I hold you?"
Reed's chest tightened.
"You never have to ask."
Eva slid closer and tucked herself against his side, head resting on his chest.
Reed wrapped an arm around her without thinking.
Her fingers curled into his shirt.
Small.
Trusting.
Reed stared at the ceiling, heart pounding.
Not fast.
Steady.
He pressed his lips to the top of her head.
Eva sighed.
Content.
Safe.
Reed closed his eyes.
He didn't say I love you.
Not yet.
But he knew.
And knowing felt just as powerful.
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