le

the space around her. The house was impressive-

l figure curled up on the co

iv

been finalized, but she remembered his curious gaze, the way he had peeked a

entmindedly stroking the rabbit's ears, watching her with quiet curios

a small

ver, was an

unreadable. "Your room is down t

at's it? No grand tour? No 'we

thin line. "I assume you

ny g

ver quickly hide his smile behind his

at was s

ck to Ethan.

Don't move anything. We act like a couple only when nece

ed her arms.

lancing at his son

"Does he get a sa

e question. He didn't look uncomfortable-just observa

respond, the fron

at the sudden c

stif

her heels clicking aga

wept over the room like she was conducting an inspection

ook particularly

's ex

ai

so soon, but the way Ethan's jaw tig

d on her. "So," she sai

was low. "No

t there was no humor in it. "Oh,

stomach

y. He hugged his rabbit, but his w

scared. Ju

ste feel just a li

t

aire would show up unannounced. She always had

ack at him. "You didn't tell m

s none of yo

d an eyebrow

sharply. "Why

instead. Her expression softened, h

away. He was watching her closely, studyi

use, he said qu

ed. "I came

s arms. "And now

t she kept her voice calm.

at

n, with a small, knowing smile, she said, "Fine.

out, her heels clicking against the

le

low breath. "So. Th

ver his face. "Wel

ny l

ward Oliver. He was smiling agai

mething in hi

er wasn't sca

as som

le

the other end of the couch. She didn't get too close-j

his fingers still stro

Benny?" s

d in surprise

him from last time. He loo

er, but it was clear he was

ng the interaction with a mix of curiosi

You know, I had a rabbit when I w

yes widene

ing. My dad's favorite chair, my mom's favorite scarf... even my

A real one

n, then at Celeste, hi

She was watching Oliver, who was st

what this arrang

she took th