She glances back at him, and has to fight to keep her face neutral. She sucks air between her teeth. His hand is warm and careful around hers.

"It's not that I'm afraid of you, but..." The arm looped through his tightens against her body. He's an anchor. "I don't know many people who are kind."

She forces herself to breathe evenly, trying to exhale the rising tension.

"And I never thought that someone kind would want me."