Derek was a little startled at the sudden hug and rush of emotion, though he caught her and tentatively patted her back soothingly, still a tad bit stunned at the force of her gratitude but glad he could help and make someone feel so thankful.
After a long time, she picked one off the shelves. She couldn’t say why, but it made her feel good just looking at it, like it was an old and familiar friend. It was a little book, not very long, but that was okay, she felt. She could get another one later. She turned to leave and jumped, having forgotten Derek was there at all. Sheepishly, she grinned at him.
Derek chuckled when she turned back to look at him, looking surprised. “You can curl up somewhere and read, you know. There’s couches here, the bed, couches downstairs,” he offered.
Summer tucked the book into the crook of her arm and took his hand, tugging him to his room, where she handed him his book with solemn face and pointed imperiously to the bed. She inspected the space where he hadn’t been before, then sprawled herself out flat with limbs akimbo.