"I don't know, something about you that I don't know yet."
I think about it. "I used to draw when I was in juvie."
"Really?"
"Yeah. It was something to do with my hands, helped me stay calm when things got bad."
"What did you draw?"
"Mostly just random shit—patterns, faces, whatever came to mind. Sometimes I'd draw what I remembered of Ruby, so I wouldn't forget what she looked like."
"Do you still draw?"
"Sometimes, when I can't sleep."
"Can I see?"
"Maybe."
She smiles. "That's not a no."
"That's not a yes either."
"I'll wear you down eventually."
"Probably."
She kisses me again, and this time it's softer, sweeter.
"I like this," she says.
"Like what?"
"This, us, just being together without it having to be anything more. Just existing in the same space."
"Me too."
We settle back into the couch and she curls against me. My arm goes around her shoulders.
I feel different—not at peace exactly, but something close to it.
Something I haven't felt in years.
I'm almost asleep when Everly says quietly, "My dad called me today."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. He wanted to know if I was serious about you."
"What did you tell him?"
"I told him I was and that he needed to back off."
"How'd he take it?"
"Not well. He's going to push back hard. Probably fly out here to intimidate you in person."
"I know."