Page 32 of Through the Storm
I hesitate.
He tilts his head slightly, squinting like his eyes are still bothering him. “Also, if I go blind, I’d prefer it happen outside. One last chance to look at the moon.”
A real laugh slips out of me this time.
“God, you’re unbelievable.”
“Is that a yes?”
I shake my head, but I’m already reaching for the door.
“Five minutes,” I repeat.
“Five minutes,” he echoes.
The air outside is cooler than I expected. It’s quiet, too. And the stars are brighter than usual. We walk side by side, not quite touching.
For a while, neither of us says anything, the steady rhythm of our footsteps is the only noise.
“How are your eyes?” I ask after a minute.
He huffs. “Fantastic. Crystal clear. I can see the future.”
“Ben! Be serious.”
“I am serious. It’s mostly you telling me I was right.”
I bump my shoulder into his. “You’re insufferable.”
“Yeah,” he says easily. “But I got you outside, so.”
I glance over at him. And I really look this time.
His eyes are still a little red. His expression is tighter than usual, like he’s pushing through more discomfort than he’s letting on.
And still he showed up for me. Again.
“You didn’t have to do this, you know,” I say quietly.
He looks at me like that’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever said.
“I know,” he says. “But I wanted to. Just like I want to take you shopping tomorrow.”
My throat tightens because Ben has always noticed the things everyone else misses. When I’m overwhelmed or scared. Or when I’m pretending I’m fine. When I need help before I ask for it.
I’ve always been good at keeping up with the appearances. The perfect Katy façade. He’s never fallen for that.
We keep walking.
No pressure. No expectations. Just… this.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
katy
REALITY CHECK
I desperately needednew clothes because I’m getting huge, and I especially needed a nice dress for the party. Ben insisted on coming with me and made me try on fifty different things and model them all for him.
