Once Connor has almost reached the stairs and his head turns until his eyes appear to land on whatever he must have been searching for. Or who he may have been searching for, I realize, and dread sinks further down my stomach as bitter bile rises in my throat at the thought of someone already set up to be waiting for him upon his return- standing somewhere on the floor at the bottom of those stairs and waiting with excited anticipation forming butterflies in their stomach over knowing he's on his way to them. I can imagine the smile that would break out on any girl's face and the way her eyes would inevitably light up when he comes into her sight, knowing he's only a little over a yard away from being within her reach at the most. His body straightens up to his full and tall height, going
