Sufficient Motivation

Casey sighed. Talking to Vera when he was out and she was here was something he could do for her. Even though he was fairly certain it would only make things worse. 

"Okay. I won't hide from you anymore."

That wasn't the same as promising he would never leave. That was a promise he wouldn't be able to keep. It was better not to make promises like that to begin with so it didn't hurt as much later. 

Casey stroked Vera's hair and felt his heart race. It had been so long since he had been able to do this. Having her here in his arms was surreal. She felt more like a dream than reality but he couldn't deny that he had really needed this after the day he had. 

He closed his eyes and pretended that this was normal. That they were at her apartment and everything was the way it had been before he ruined it. When they were happy. 

"So what are you working on right now?" he asked.