The unwritten scars

2: Noa

ople, the weight of wood in his hands to the weight of conversation. That was why he'd spe

ent. He noticed the way her fingers gripped the doorframe, how her eyes

e

because he'd li

carrying it up the steps without a word. Evie Monroe barely moved asid

this?" he asked, ke

. "Uh... anyw

was practically empty with no couch, no rugs, just a couple of suitcases

n't sure she

e but carried herself like someone trying to shrink away from the world. Her dark brown hair w

ved bookshelf Evie had inched further away, hovering

?" he asked, brea

but didn'

d oak, the one she'd picked out online. It was simple but strong, so

nough to choke on. She didn't try to make small talk, and he didn't

ir, Noah wiped his hands on h

y something but couldn't quite get the wor

," she

awer with a wood polish, cleaning cloth

met his g

th him. Maybe it was the way she wouldn't turn her back to him,

him an explanation.

nod and stepped outside,

xpect her t

e driver's side door, he hear

oa

tur

ound herself. The wind ruffled the loose strand

this," she said, her voi

't used to thanking people, like she wasn't used

d once.

e of Evie Monroe standing alone on that broken-down p