9
Lila.
Vivian kissed my cheek, checked her suitcase wheels, and joked about the hotel pillows being better than ours. She hugged Damien at the door and said, “Keep the house standing.” He said, “Always.” The car pulled away. The house exhaled.
I was already halfway up the stairs with an overnight bag, which was ridiculous because I live here. He saw it and shook his head like I was insane.
“Don’t,” he said.
“One week,” I said. “I’m moving into your room.”
“We should be careful.”
“We will be,” I said. “Locks. Water. Snacks. That’s my safety plan.”
“You’re impossible.”
“You’re welcome.”
I put my toothbrush next to his, slid my sweater over the chair, set my perfume on the dresser like it belonged. He made eggs while I leaned on the counter a shade too close as he plated. He didn
