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“We don’t have junk food”

Of course they don’t “You knohat I mean” I set the containers back on the counter and wait patiently for her to decide whether she wants e or crack thee the sauce container forward “It was good”

“I love spaghetti”

“Who doesn’t?”

“It wasup”

I laugh “Mine was the square pieces of pizza I would fold ”

Lilly pulls a face “Ranch dressing—blech”

I go to the cabinet and grab a plate, begin to build her a meal, noodles first Her eyes watchher bottom lip

“Don’t ever do that again,” I warn her “That was so weird”

Her elbows rest on the counter as she takes a seat in a chair, leaning forith a grin “You think everything is weird”

She’s not wrong “True But licking your lips is super weird”

“I’ my enthusiasm”

“Yeah— down a ladle, spooning a heap onto the delicious pile of noodles It’s a meat sauce with chopped up herbs and spices, chunks of tomato—and meatballs They’re my favorite, so Mom loaded my container

“Um, more sauce please?” Lilly blushes prettily when she asks, and I duck my head so she can’t see the blush on mine

Gosh she’s cute

So pretty

Bet she could light up a room on a miserable, dreary day

I put arlic bread on the side

She eyeballs it “I better not eat that”

“Why? Because it’s carbs?”

“No, because when I eat garlic or onions, I stink” Lilly slaps a hand over her les “I can’t believe I just said that”

“Coarlic” I don’t think…?