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way out of proportion. It's not that I want to stop by in the future, it's just that I want to feel like you'd be okay with it if I did."
    "I get what you're saying, but I already said I'd prefer if you didn't," he said.
    I stood there and gawked at him, unable to believe that he continued to be unfriendly. I could see the goodness in his eyes, and it made me crazy that just when I thought he'd say something to turn everything around, instead he says something mean and final. I let out a groan and turned to head away from him, not planning on saying anything else.

 
    Chapter 6
     
     
    "I thought you said you needed a hug," I heard Jacob's deep voice say from behind me as I turned to walk away.
    I stopped and threw my hands up, but didn't turn back to face him. "I do need a hug," I said, since I knew I'd be mad at myself if I stormed off like instinct was telling me to do. "And so do you ," I added without bothering to turn and face him.
    "What makes you think you know what I need?" he asked.
    I could hear by the tone of his voice that he was still wearing a serious expression, and I had a passing thought that he might not even be capable of smiling. I turned to glance at him over my shoulder.
    "Everybody needs a hug," I said. "Even if they don't want one, they need one."
    "I don't."
    "That exact attitude is all the more reason why you do," I said. I continued to look at him, expecting him to say something, but he didn't. After several long seconds, I turned to walk away again.
    "Fine," I heard him say as I took the first step.
    I glanced back at him with my eyebrows furrowed. "Fine what?" I asked.
    "Fine, we can hug or whatever. You guys are so weird down here."
    "You're weird for yelling at me," I said.
    There was another slightly awkward silence, and then he said, "So how's this supposed to go down?"
    "A hug?" I asked with a sarcastic edge to my voice. "You put your arms around each other and squeeze." I gestured in front of me. "It helps if there's not a screen between you."
    "You're talking about physical contact?" he asked.
    I nodded. "That's what a hug is."
    "Will you sleep at night if we go ahead and do it?" he asked.
    This made me let out a humorless laugh like I felt sorry for him. "It's not just about me," I said. "You need it, too."
    "Fine," he said. "Let's just do it if we both need to so bad. Then we can get on with our lives."
    "Fine," I said. "But you're gonna have to do something about the screen door."
    Just as I said that, he reached forward to open it. In one swift movement, he stepped out onto the porch before letting the screen close behind him. He was only a few feet from me now, and I could fully appreciate his size and the brightness of his eyes. He had a few days worth of facial hair lining his jaw, and I stared at it along with the rest of his face. I repented of my sins, past, current, and future as I stared at him. I felt a surge of emotion that I knew was attraction, and it made me feel guilty, like I was lying when I said I just wanted to welcome him into the neighborhood.
    I was lost in thought when I felt his arms come around me. He stepped forward, and pulled me into his embrace as if it was the most natural thing in the world. He was taller than me, so his arms wrapped around my shoulders. I put my arms around his middle, and knowing this would probably never happen again, I gave him a good squeeze. I did it tightly at first, but then relaxed to a grip that was still firm but slightly less urgent. I thought he would break away instantly, but he held me there for several long seconds. Being in his arms felt like such a relief—especially with the way he hurt my feelings the day before.
    I laid my head on his chest and continued to hold him, giving a little squeeze to his ribs. I felt his body relax underneath me and I smiled to myself as he took a deep breath in and then out. He moved his hand to my head and gave me one last squeeze, holding my head securely to his chest for a split second