Joel doesn’t expect her to block him, so he ends up having to stop short just so he doesn’t bowl her over. A long sigh slips from his mouth, that temper flaring up, but Ellie isn’t budging.

His hand lands on the bannister too, just below hers, and he levels her with a deadpan look. He has one foot on the first step.

“Well, I’m not the one who thunders up and down these stairs like I’m tryin’ to put my feel through ‘em,” he reminds her, with a jerk of his head to the side. Move.