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He either liked me or he didn't, and I couldn't remember the last time that choice had me so rattled

"So," I began, trying to sound et yourher la She wants to get back to it, and I thought I'd get her so about her tools? Can you tell me which torch she'd like?"

Thatcher's eyes ary as he leaned over to take the tablet froes I had open Pointing to a torch with over a thousand five-star reviews, he said, "She's been looking at that one She wants to upgrade, but the one she has is okay so she hasn't wanted to spend the money" He flipped to a different tab and pointed to a basic laet her started And she'll need a good worktable So sturdy that won't catch fire"

I took the tablet when he handed it back "Does she usually set things on fire?"

I could see Thatcher weighing his answer, deciding if he was going to fuck with me "Nah But sometimes, the torch or her tools are hot and they scorch the table" He straightened, turning on the couch to face me, arms crossed over his chest Like this, he looked a lot older than thirteen It wasn't just his size—Scarlett was right, he could have easily passed for sixteen, even a young eighteen It was the gravity in his icy blue eyes, the challenge He was still a kid, but he was no child

"Why are you buying this stuff forto stay here?" An edge of panic tinged his voice at the end

I didn't knohat to say, so I ith the truth "I want you to, but nothing has been decided"

"What about what I want?" Thatcher deether the second the words were out

I sat back, trying to look relaxed when I was anything but "That's why nothing has been decided You guys are a tea to make any decisions without you and your brother"

"She hasn't said anything," Thatcherto the sides, his eyes on a scuff at the end of his sneaker He rubbed at it with the heel of his other shoe "She just hugs me and tells me we'll talk about it later"

"She's worried about you"

"I'm fine"