Page 20 (1/2)

The house smelled like Pine-Sol when Car his eyes He stopped in the doorway of the kitchen, seeing Haven scrubbing the marble floor She hummed, oblivious to his presence, and he listened as he tried to place the song

She stood and turned around, the hu cut off by a yelp "You’re hoe "Didn’t bird"

"You didn’t I was only" She trailed off as she eyed hibird Colibri You kinda re between them

She looked bewildered "Why?"

"I don’t know," he said "They’re these little colorful birds that flutter around and hum And, you know, you’re kinda the same way"

Her cheeks flushed "You heard me?"

"I’ve heard you a few ti is it?"

"It’s so her eyes Her sweatpants and tank top were splattered with soapy water, her hair all over the place

"You should get dressed," he suggested "We have so else"

She eyed hiered for aupstairs He rolled his tense shoulders as he silently berated hi he’d loosen up around her His anxiety fueled hers, and the last thing he wanted was for her to avoid hi a pair of jeans and a t-shirt He opened the front door, and Haven hesitated in the doorway before stepping on the porch After engaging the alar up, he helped her into his car She thanked him softly when he cli around as they drove "Where are we going?"

Car for his list, before love compartment "Check in there for a piece of paper"

She did what he said, shifting things around, and blushed when she pulled out a s she’d found the condoot they were in there" He snatched the thenored her incredulous look, not wanting to have to explain, and waved her back to the glove co a piece of notebook paper "Is this it?"

"Yeah, that’s it Read it"

Wide-eyed, she stammered over some of the words "Uh, chipspret--uh, pretzelssodaAre we going to a store?"

"Yes That’s e need for the party While we’re there, we’ll stock up the house You know, kill two birds with one stone"

When they made it to the store, Haven’s footsteps faltered as the doors opened on their own She surveyed theh Carrab a cart, but she just stood there

"Have you been grocery shopping much?" he asked

She shook her head "I’ve never been inside a store"

"Never?"

"Never"

This would be ht "I can’t say I’ve ever done this either I’ure this shit out together"

Haven tried to hand him the paper, but he instead handed her a pen "You do the list Practice rabbed a cart and led her to the produce section "I have another confession I can’t say I’ve ever cooked either, so I have no idea what half this shit is" He picked up a green stalk and eyed it skeptically "What the fuck is this?"

She s the the stalk down on the display

It was quiet so early in the afternoon, only a few shoppers in the store other than therateful for the privacy Haven was clearly out of her elehtly as her eyes et?"