Adam stood in the middle of their hotel room, watching Katie take off her coat and boots. He was f*****g terrified, more afraid than he'd ever been in the whole of his life.
Oh, s**t. What if I hurt her? Scare her?
“Katie?”
She glanced up him, her eyes bright.
“What if I do something, and by accident I – I trigger you?”
She looked at him, fully taking in his worry for the first time.
“If that happens, then just hold me,” she said calmly.
“Hold you? You’ll want me to touch you, not pull back?”
“Yes. Make sure I know it’s you. Make me say your name.”
He nodded, his heart in his throat, his stomach a block of ice. “OK.”
She stood up and went to him. He took her in his arms, but he held her gingerly, like she was made of spun-sugar, like she'd shatter into a million pieces.
“Adam.
