“I’ve never wanted to be less sensible…”

Mavis gulped air into her lungs. “That’s my point. This…all this… It’s nice for now. But what happens in the end?”

The words shot Gavin’s smile dead. “When I leave?”

Mavis lifted a shoulder. “Isn’t that what you’ll do eventually? You’ve been very clear. I’ve told you, I know you don’t know your place in the world anymore and I’m aware of who you are—who you’ve always been. You’ll go looking for it if you can’t find it here. You—”

“I run,” he concluded, gaze dull and far off.

She couldn’t stop herself from reaching for his hand and gripping it tight. “I want you.”

The truth snatched his head around, back to hers, brows hitched. He looked surprised. Then impressed.

Mavis nodded. “And that isn’t something I’m capable of ignoring anymore.”

“Anymore,” he murmured. His jaw softened. “How long have you been ignoring it, exactly?”