@ariaeprentiss Jack looked over at her, pen still between his fingers, notebook half‑open on his lap.
He nudged the notebook closed with his thumb. “Bug away. I don’t mind.”
The distraction was much needed as well.
@ariaeprentiss before she could look too closely at him, he cleared his throat and stepped past her toward the kitchen.
“did you eat after practice?” he asked, tone shifting lighter, safer. “i can make something if you’re starving or wait until I show you the place.”
@ariaeprentiss her question hit him square in the chest.
he tried to play it off, but the truth slipped through anyway.
“…yeah,” he said, barely above a breath, a tiny shrug following like he hoped it made the honesty less obvious. “kinda hard not to when I enjoy your company.”
——