She went back to playing cards, heating up another meal when she got hungry

Vex seemed pretty content from the last time he ate.

As it started to get dark, Electa lit the camping lantern she'd bought, putting it in the center of the table. She slipped out to use the "facilities" and returned wearing a pair of navy blue sweatpants instead of her jeans.

He rather liked her in casual wear. 'Nope! Uh, that's a weird thought. No, she looks good in anything. Wait, why the heck do I care?!?' His thoughts went crazy.

She noticed and said, "A little bit comfier," she explained. Electa dropped into her seat again. Picking up her cards, Electa settled back into her chair and drew a knee up, her bare foot curled over the edge of her seat as she inspected her hand. Her mouth was slightly open; she ran her fingernail against her lower teeth as she thought. She'd knotted her hair at the nape of her neck again, and a strand had slipped lose onto her shoulder.

He nodded with a calm smile despite that his mind was racing as he was sitting in his own chair. He noticed the stray strand and held back from the odd urge to gently put it back.

If he acted fast enough, she couldn't stop him. Not that she would want to.

True, but he didn't want to seem weird.

But guys brushed girls' hair back all the time.

He knew that, but he wasn't one of those types of guys. A lot of his soccer team called him a sissy.