Page 100 of The Silence Between

“Don't apologize,” I said. “Your family isn't an interruption, Leo. They're your life. I understand that.”

He studied me for a long moment, as if testing the truth of my words. “Most people say they understand, but eventually get frustrated by the constant demands.”

“I'm not most people,” I replied simply. “And I'm not going anywhere unless you ask me to.”

Something in his expression shifted, a softening around the eyes, a subtle release of tension I hadn't even realized he was carrying. We returned to studying, shoulders touching lightly as we bent over the textbook, the casual contact speaking volumes about growing comfort with physical proximity.

By the time I left, long after the younger siblings had gone to bed and Mari had retreated to her room with headphones, the evening had evolved into something I couldn't have anticipated when I first offered to help with coursework—not just educational support, but a glimpse of how our lives might potentially intertwine without requiring dramatic restructuring or impossible sacrifices.

Not perfect, not without complications, but possible in a way I hadn't dared hope for when I'd returned to Riverton.

* * *

“Cotton candy or funnel cake?”I asked Sophie. “My treat.”

“Both?” she suggested hopefully, shooting a glance at Leo.

He shook his head, trying not to smile. “One or the other, greedy girl. You already had a hot dog and lemonade.”

“Funnel cake then,” she decided after what looked like some serious mental calculations. “But only if we can all share it.”

Main Street had been completely transformed for the weekend fair. Food stalls lined both sides, the smell of fried everything mixing with caramel apples and popcorn. The late afternoon sun turned everything golden, and kids were running everywhere with sticky fingers and sugar highs.

When Leo had texted about the festival earlier, I'd tried to play it cool, saying I might stop by if he wanted company. His “we'd like that” had made my day. This was different from our usual meetups at the bookstore or school events. This was Leo choosing to hang out with me in public, with his family, where everyone could see us together.

Diego walked a few feet ahead, doing that teenage thing where he wanted to be part of the group but also looked like he might die if anyone from school saw him having fun with his family. Mari and Leo had Sophie between them like bookends, and I walked next to Leo, our arms bumping occasionally as we navigated through the crowd.

“Thanks for coming,” Leo said quietly. “The kids have been talking about this all week.”

“Just the kids?” I teased.

He fought back a smile. “Maybe not just the kids.”

Sophie spotted a ring toss game and tugged on Leo's sleeve. “Can I try? Please? I'm really good at this one!”

Leo dug into his pocket for change. “Two tries. That's it.”

As Sophie concentrated on her throws, tongue poking out slightly, Leo and I stood close enough that our shoulders touched. It was barely anything, probably invisible to everyone else, but for Leo to be this relaxed about physical contact in public felt huge.

“Watch this,” Sophie announced, then proceeded to miss spectacularly. “That one doesn't count!”

“That's exactly what counts,” Diego called back, but he was grinning.

“You're just jealous because you can't throw straight,” Sophie shot back.

“Oh really?” Diego walked over, mock-offended. “Give me those rings.”

What followed was five minutes of sibling competition that had Leo and Mari exchanging amused looks while I tried not to laugh too obviously. Neither kid won anything, but the vendor took pity and gave Sophie a tiny stuffed bear anyway.

“Victory!” she declared, holding it up like a trophy.

We continued down the street, stopping at various booths. Mari got deep into a conversation with the woman selling homemade preserves, asking about sugar content and preservation methods like she was conducting a scientific interview. Diego pretended not to be interested in the local band setting up on the small stage, but I caught him tapping his foot to their sound check.

“Oh look,” Mari said suddenly. “The arts council booth. Sophie, don't you want to see if Ms. Jenkins has info about that summer art camp?”

As they headed over to look at student artwork, Leo shifted slightly closer to me. We were standing normally, nothing that would draw attention, but I was hyperaware of the decreased distance between us.

“This is nice,” I said, keeping my voice low.

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