For all his adult days, Bruce had always been better at disappearing than explaining.
Not in a dramatic way- no slammed doors, no angry speeches. Just distance.
Quiet.
Space.
An easy Irish exit.
But Heather -
Heather gave him something different.
He noticed Heather's silence the morning after before she even gave it shape, the kind of silence that looked calm on the outside but was holding a storm on the inside.
It also took a toll on him which was something new.
He wanted to text, but he barely had the words to put in place. He still felt the effects from that night, and he silently hoped that he placed a mark on her took at least an experience better than she had before compared to what the sheets said he really hoped he did.
Normally with the other lady's there would be a playful follow up that he would just ignore but he didn't want that with Heather.
He sat at his kitchen table, phone face down beside him, a cup of coffee long gone cold. The apartment around him was quiet, but not peaceful. It felt… unsettled.
The memory of the night seeping into his mind-
not sharp,
not urgent,
but slow and deep.
The way she had responded to his touch—not performative, not rushed, not trying to be anything other than present. The softness of her skin. The way her body had stilled—not out of fear, but out of trust.
That was what unsettled him most.
She had trusted him.
Without conditions. Without promises.
And she hadn't tried to define it the next morning like she already knew words would cheapen it.
Bruce exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair.
That was the problem.
Bruce was used to things that stayed shallow. Used to women who wanted distraction, no depth. Used to moments that evaporated by morning.
Heather hadn't evaporated.
She lingered.
And that terrified him.
He couldn't stop himself from replaying the night fragments-not just the physical ones but also the emotional ones. The way she had gone still when he touched her not due to fear, but out of presence. The way she didn't perform. Didn't rush. Didn't pretend.
She was real with him
Bruce exhaled slowly and ran a hand through his hair. He knew what came next if he leaned into this.
Expectations. Consistency. Being seen.
He didn't hate the idea but wasn't sure if he could offer any without breaking something. So, he did what he always did when emotions demanded more than he could immediately give. He went quiet.
Not because the night meant nothing - but because it meant too much.
He drafted messages and deleted them.
I had a good time -too small.
I don't regret it. -too cold.
I don't know what I'm doing. - too honest.
She was a psychologist. she would see through anything half formed. And Bruce didn't want to hand her confusion disguised as certainty.
Days passed. Each one heavier than the last.
He told himself that she was fine. That the silence was ok. That she wouldn't be lying around waiting for him to reply though he kind of wished she would
But every time he thought about her, something twisted in his chest. He didn't want to become just another guy who passed by her in her life, one that could her tears and sadness,
No, not for my baby doll. That thought alone finally pushed him to pick up his phone.
Can we talk later?
He stared at the messages after sending it, heart pounding like he had just stepped off a ledge. Was this all in Felisha's plan he chuckled slowly realizing that he may actually feel something for Heather.
When she replied- yes. I'm here. - it wasn't relief he felt but accountability
Bruce leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes and gave out a brief sigh, thinking to himself what he should next
Are you free this evening.
Bruce asked with anticipation
I had plans to go out for a walk.
Can I join you, ...(the typing bubbles come and go).
You can join me after the run. Heather answered
Bruce let out a breath he didn't even know he was holding it in. He excitedly texted back asking when she would be done and where they would meet,
.....(the typing bubbles came and went)
Heather sent a location link into the chat.
Bruce looked at the chat excitedly and found himself looking forward to the meeting.