Page 47 of Running to You

He shrugged. She must’ve quit after she’d dumped him.

“Oh. Right.”

“But I can’t imagine you burning bridges,” he said. “That’s not your style.”

“I’ll call them tomorrow.”

He dug into his meal. He was halfway through with his sandwich when she pushed her bowl away. She’d barely made a dent.

“Why don’t you try finishing the chicken at least?”

“Gluttony’s a sin.”

He felt his eyebrows hike and worked to lower them. “Would that make you a glutton, eating your whole salad?”

“Don’t you think I’ve had enough?”

“Do you?”

She shrugged, eyeing the food.

“Are you still hungry?”

“I’ve had all the bites I should.” She shook her head. “I mean… What do I mean?”

“How many bites have you had?”

“Fifteen.” She answered as if it made sense. Answered as if she’d expected the question.

Fifteen.

She’d counted her bites. Counted, as if there were a limit. As if she wasn’t allowed to eat more.

Rage clawed up his throat, but he swallowed it back. Kept his mouth shut until he could speak levelly. Waited for her to explain. Or at least realize there was no reasonable explanation.

“I don’t understand.” Her words were barely audible.

“Me either.”

“Why would I…?” She rubbed her lips, pressed them together until they turned white. “I must not have had enough food. Which explains why I’ve lost weight.”

Sam tried Daniel’s soothing voice. It’d worked before. “Do you still feel hungry?”

Her head bobbed, fast, like she was embarrassed about the answer.

“Will you try to eat a little more then?”

She slid the bowl closer and forked another bite.

He watched her chew and swallow.

Itched to punch the person who’d limited her food.

And frankly, to demand she explain why she’d allowed it.

“Would you just…talk?” she asked. “Please?” Her eyes were wide and filled with fear. “Distract me?”

He could do that.