Sloane was still blowing him off, and Lester's frustration spilled out in another sigh. She was really working to keep away from him, given that he had nearly a foot on her, and for a moment he almost decided to give up.

But he couldn't do that — not if she was leaving again. It felt like he could be at risk of losing her forever, and he did not understand why.

Lester followed her hard left and picked up his pace so that he was starting to catch up, and was finally close enough to reach out and grab her lower arm.