Any Way the Wind Blows (Simon Snow, #3)

by Rainbow Rowell

“I can check in with you later?” “Yeah,” he says. “Or maybe . . .” “Maybe?” He looks up at me. “Maybe we both go to your flat, and instead of changing, you pick up some clothes?” “And then I . . .” I’m afraid to say it even though he’s the one saying it. “. . . stay with you?” He nods quickly, licking his bottom lip. “Yeah.” “Like, for a few days, or . . .” I have my hands pressed so deep into my jacket pockets that my collar is pulling on my neck. “For a while?” Simon’s whole body shrugs. “I don’t know.” “You don’t know.” I nod. He tilts his head forward and pulls at the top of his hair. “Do I have to know?” His eyebrows are up. His forehead is wrinkled. He’s squinting at me like he’s about to place a bet. “No,” I say. “You don’t have to know.” Simon lurches forward and grabs me by the elbow. “I don’t know how people do this,” he says, his voice low and urgent. “I’m much better at pushing you away than pulling you close. Are we allowed to be together all the time? Or is that too much? Just tell me if it’s too much.” That’ll be the day. I put my hand on his forearm. “Come back to Fiona’s with me,” I say. “I’ll pick up some clothes.” His eyes are scrabbling on mine. I try to give him whatever it is he’s digging for. “Yeah?” he says. “It isn’t too much, Snow.” He licks his lip and nods. I pull him towards the stairs.