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“I know, but you needed it” He nodded toward the ramshackle shitstorm that was my home

Tears threatened at his atteet this place in order It’s why I’d left it like this too long Can’t look at it if you never turn the lights on, or aren’t here for longer than it takes to get a little sleep and do it all again to it But no one was supposed to see this Hell, I hadn’t even let Stella in here

A screaht in my throat “I don’t need or want your help”

“Good thing I don’t listen, right?” His smile and his eyes didn’t hold a hint of pity “Because you’re getting it”

“Leo…” Misery leached from that one word It didn’t even coer-deep in the toilet

He pushed ahead with his kitchen organization “Lethis head, he braced his hands on the counter “Please, Gingersnap”

Only, this time when he called me that it didn’t make me want to rent a car exclusively to run him over with it

“Why are you being so nice to me?”

His hand froze halfway to the drawer beside the stove He hung his head for a second “Maybe things got off to a rocky start We’re both coether, but we don’t have to fight We can do this together, beat Oren & Co at their own gaure out e do about Winthorpe once they’re out of the picture Maybe we can find another way and actually be friends”

I crossedhiht, and unpack the groceries he’d bought this

Squatting, I stuck the package of paper towels under the sink and leaned on the open cabinet door “You even cleaned under the sink?”

He shrugged “It needed it I’ve got the rest of this There are bagels and bacon in the bag on the counter And some chocolate croissants They’re fresh” He ducked his head “I figured I owed you”

This swell of e that happened between us Chocolate croissants He’d remembered

“You need to hydrate and have so to eat How’s your stomach?”

I stood and droppedstoer pissed as hell atpoison”