Ryker reached for her hand, and Scarlett went still, barely breathing. Her hand felt small wrapped in his giant one. His calluses were rough against her own. Scarlett swallowed, not sure what to say, but Ryker spoke first. “You are not as alone as you think you are.” “What makes you think I am alone? I have plenty of people who care for me.” “Yes, but you can be around people and still feel alone. You can feel alone in life, even when you have people you love and who love you in return.”
