Zephany nodded, then leaned on the counter. Silence stretched again, not uncomfortable, just thoughtful.
"I meant what I said, by the way," Kendrick said, his voice low. "Earlier. About taking it slow."
"I know."
"You don't have to be okay all at once."
Zephany looked at him, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on the countertop. "I'm trying not to overthink it."
He smiled faintly. "You're doing fine."
After a moment, she pushed away from the counter and walked into the living room, settling into the armrest of the couch. He followed, dropping onto the other end with a tired sigh.
"I'm not used to talking like that," she said, not looking at him.
"Me neither."
"Kind of exhausting."
"Definitely."
A beat of silence.
Zephany smiled a little. "But good."
"Yeah," Kendrick said. "Good."
She glanced sideways at him. "So what now?"
He shrugged. "Brush teeth, sleep, figure out tomorrow."
"You're annoyingly practical."
He grinned. "Someone has to be."
