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"Change is hard I know you aren’t used to sharing your space" He wrapped his ar into his ar pen My clothes were scattered everywhere Two hairballs had dried on the floor, and the third that Shade had stepped in was still wet Candy wrappers scattered across the floor besidewith e of Cheetos My closet was a ind

On the other hand, Shade’s closet was ordered, with his clothes neatly lined up on hangers His nightstand was clear except for what he needed It wasn’t OCD-clean but definitely tidy As I looked at him, at the warmth in his eyes, I suddenly understood I was in an adult relationship I was sharing ht be in my sisters’ names and my na run

"Okay" I straightened ht, we pick up a little I’ll clean up arbage We do laundry together I guess it’s only fair Hanna’s going to have her hands full with soto be in any mood or shape to handle the work after a couple htened "You’d do that, for ht occurred to e hie

He see "And what is that?"

Grinning, I licked my lips "You know that fantasy I told you about? The Jerry Springer one?"

He closed his eyes and began to shake his head "No, oh no--I told you I wouldn’t be able to keep a straight face"

I pressed ers to his lips "Oh yes Yes, you will It’s called compromise Couples co now, I stood and turned to straddle his lap, pushing hi to compromise with me"

"Am I really, now? Are you so sure I’m ready to…compro deepened I leaned down and pressedthe warmy hands under his shirt

"Oh, you’re ready Trust me" But as I leaned in for another kiss, someone pounded on the door

"Delilah! Shade! We need you downstairs, now" When Menolly spoke in that tone of voice, everybody jumped "Get off your asses and hurry!"

Whoa I hadn’t heard her that upset in a long ti, then hurried downstairs Menolly was already back in the kitchen e ca with Smoky, Trillian, and Vanzir

"What’s up? Please tell s of tea froly incident We have to get down to the FH-CSI" Ca on?" A voice from the kitchen door startledthe terry robe tightly around her She’d borrowed it from Menolly

"Yet another incident We have to roll You and Douglas stay here Just go back to bed and get more rest" I patted her shoulder She bit her lip, then nodded She looked so tired and so lost

As Marion vanished back to the parlor, Cah so much The loss of her sister The loss of her house"

"Yeah, that’s e’re doing this For people like Marion To keep the Tregarts--and their boss--fro this world into a far worse hell than it already is" I sed my self-pity So I’d only had three and a half hours of sleep At least we still had our house to come home to

Ca Morio at ho hi a toast and peanut butter sandwich, yawned "I’ll stay here, too Shao to work and he needs to be on his A-Gah for even ed "He looked so peaceful when I went down to the studio to wake up him and Vanzir, I decided to let him sleep That way Roz and Morio will be fresh later today in case we need down tiht want to sleep in shifts from now until we catch Van and Jaycee, so ays have fresh blood And speaking of blood…" Menolly glanced at the clock It was nearly five thirty

"Maybe you’d better stay ho we’ll be out and it’s aloing through the last pages of the day planner and phone book I don’t want to get caught out in daylight and, knohat’s happened lately, if we get caught up in so, I picked up my keys and backpack Shade and I headed out to my car, while Camille, Smoky, and Trillian headed to hers As the clouds parted to let the luh, I breathed in the crisp air February was a grueling month in the Seattle area Rainy, cold, solooritty as they did on a cold February night

Shade stared out the e sped along After a few minutes, he turned to me "I love you You know that, don’t you? I’ve loved you for a long ti my eyes on the road "I do And I love you"

"How much do you love me?" The tone of his voice suddenly took a sole be at the windshield wipers as they slashed back and forth

Unsure what he was up to, I hesitated "I said I love you Um…you want me to stretch my arms and say this much?" When he remained silent, I chewed the inside ofis to the subject of that ring I gave you e first er to summon me to your side?" He pointed to the chunky smoky quartz that I hadn’t taken off since I first slid it onto the ring finger ofshifted ina choice And youshort of breath, I shookto break up with h to conquer differences Soretted it You help me feel complete If this is about the room--I promise, I’ll be less of a slob"

Another pause while I fretted

Then: "In a way, this is about the room, yes But not what you think"