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Before theylist of expectations—how they were to talk to my faive any such instruction to Abigail

I wanted Abigail to be herself To watch as sheand joking with her best friend

I wanted a piece of normal

I turned the radio on One ofat ail listened to I knew very little about her outside of what she’d put in her application “What kind of music do you like?”

“This is fine”

I wanted to ask her more questions—what she was like as a child, how she had learned to cook, what her favorite color was Details that didn’t , but when taken as a whole, created the woail

If I asked questions, would she answer honestly or would she answer the way she thought I wanted her to?

This is why you don’t do norray areas

I didn’t like gray—life was better in black-and-white

After we arrived and dropped offher way toward us

“Nathaniel! Abby! You’re here!” Elaina said, dragging Todd behind her

“Good evening, Elaina,” I said, surprised at the way she hugged Abigail I raised an eyebrow Had they met recently, or were they past acquaintances? “I see you two have met already?”

“Oh, lighten up,” she said and knocked me in the chest “I had a cup of tea with Abby when I stopped by your house earlier today—so yes, Nathaniel, we’ve already met”

Abigail hadn’t ain, we’d been apart forwith her thoughts Instead of saying anything further, I stood back and watched her withand see at ease with everyone While Todd had heard ail in the past, he had no idea she was the saht

Linda approached us, and I introduced her to Abigail, who insisted that my aunt call her Abby I had to smile at that

While Linda and Abigail chatted about books, I noticed Todd and Elaina giving each other strange looks, just as they had yesterday at my house

But it was Linda, my dear sweet aunt who loved me like her own son, whose expression confused me the most It was a look of the sweetest relief and joy, and I couldn’tabout books, of all things

I took a step closer to Abigail Nope, just books I still didn’t understand the look

Wine The night needed wine

“I’ll get us soail “Red or white?”

Her body tensed, and I looked at her in surprise It was such a minor question

Then it hit me You’re not normal You’re her dom She probably thinks she’s supposed to answer in a certain way

Damn it

“I don’t have a hidden agenda,” I whispered to reassure her “I simply want to know”

“Red”

There, I thought, was that so hard?

Yes, damn it, it was The question of red or white wine should not be the cause of angst It should be a si-to-know-you question

But what about us was simple? I asked myself

Not a da

As I walked off to get the drinks, Kyle ran up to e, and a few years prior, I’d received a call telling ht-year-old boy who needed a transplant It had been a difficult procedure, but a year ago, I met Kyle—the recipient of my bone marrow—and knew the trouble had been worth it He was now alive and well It was all very, very hu

“Nate,” he said, throwing his arms around me

“Kyle,” I said with a laugh “How are you?”

“Great, reat” He pulled at the neck of his suit “Even though I have to wear this getup”

“You look very handsoirls in your class could see you now”

He chuckled and looked down at his feet I reer I wouldn’t want to go back to that ti

“If you see Jackson,” I said, “ht be able to score us some tickets if New York makes it”

He slasses of wine and lass with a quiet “thank you” and took a small sip

During dinner, I watched as she joined in the conversations around her—so back and listening She shared a close relationship with Felicia—I could tell by the way they subtly teased each other

The only tio to the bathrooered me that none of the men in her previous relationships had treated her like a lady

Yeah, my conscience said sarcastically, because you definitely treated her like a lady last night

I couldn’t argue with that, but I was raised to treat a woht in public Fortunately, Elaina stood up and went to the restroom with her I made a note to myself to thank Elaina later

“Felicia,” I said, turning to Abigail’s best friend “I understand you’re a kindergarten teacher?”

“Yes” She barely looked at me

“Is it trying to ith such young children?”

“Sometimes,” she said in a frosty voice

I wondered why Felicia was so cold She appeared to genuinely like Jackson, and the two of theht in close conversation Even when she talked with Linda or Elaina, she was friendly