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“Can I, uh, help you with so on her door “Is everything okay?”

“No”

“It’s not?”

“I mean, yes”

“Okay…?”

“I ainst the back of my neck “There’s extra”

“Extra what?”

“Food”

She smiled etting to is right there, but still, I need to be guided a bit more”

“There’s extra food if you want it I made a lot”

“Don’t you normally save it for leftovers? Isn’t Friday yourweek?”

Did she watch me that closely?

“I have business lunchweek I won’t need it”

“I don’t want to impose, but if you want me to eat with you—”

“I don’t”

Her eyes dimmed, and the corner of herMaple was right Stella did showcase every single emotion across her face

“What Iinfood”

“That’s very nice of you, and I’ll take you up on the offer Thank you, Damian”

“Yup”

“If you ever do want to eat a ether—”

“Not interested, Stella”

“Okay then Have a good night”

I wanted to tell her, “You too,” but I couldn’t bring myself to say it

12

Stella

Da, I cleaned up the kitchen and then headed to the living roo I was able to pick out theone of my favorite role roes with subtitles

If there was a love story, I was going to be there to watch it—with tears and all Plus, the cornier, the better Bring on the cheese, Hollywood

As I sat in the living rooh the hallway, holding an elass in his hand His eyes fell on me and then onto the television He huffed and went to continue his way

“Don’t do that!” I remarked

“Do what?”

“Huff at my movie choices”

“I didn’t huff”