Grace still wasn't sure this was really happening as she fell into step beside Mr. Echelon-Arnost. It was not the first time they'd walked together in public—there had been the day they met, and then at the art display, but this felt different and far more surreal. Maybe it because this was the first time after their awkward conversation that they were speaking, and his good opinion of her hadn't been lost like she'd expected. She wouldn't have been surprised if he'd avoided talking with her entirely, much less offering to walk her home.
And it did seem that this would be an offer to walk her home, as very quickly it became apparent that Mr. Echelon-Arnost was not well. Eyes softening with worry, she instinctively reached out and touched the sleeve of his shirt, bringing them to a halt.
"Mr. Echelon-Arnost, are you well?" It startled her to see him limp like this—not just because it was worse than usual, but because it was startling to realize that she recognized what a normal amount of limping looked like on him.
And it did seem that this would be an offer to walk her home, as very quickly it became apparent that Mr. Echelon-Arnost was not well. Eyes softening with worry, she instinctively reached out and touched the sleeve of his shirt, bringing them to a halt.
"Mr. Echelon-Arnost, are you well?" It startled her to see him limp like this—not just because it was worse than usual, but because it was startling to realize that she recognized what a normal amount of limping looked like on him.
