The moment he asked me a question, I was about to jump out of my seat when something stabled me. I look back at the help and saw Dave's hand gripping mine.
My eyes shot up to his face.
Dave wasn't even looking at me. His gaze was locked on his plate, calm, steady, like he hadn't just sent a lightning bolt straight through my body with one simple gesture.
His thumb pressed lightly against my knuckles, grounding me, telling me in his own quiet way, breathe, idiot.
I swallowed hard, forcing my voice not to crack. "Y-yeah, Grandpa," I managed, the words sticking to the roof of my mouth like gum. "Everything's fine. Just… lost in thought."
Albert tilted his head, eyes twinkling with that annoying kind of wisdom that made me feel like he could see all my thoughts, every embarrassing, chaotic, hold his hand or don't hold his hand mental debate.
