Page 71 of Even in the Dark

“On the count of three,” I say. “One. Two…Three.”

We both bite into the dense muffins, our eyes locked as we chew hesitantly.

His eyes are even more stunning when they’re dancing with that faint hint of humor. “It’s not terrible,” he says around a mouthful of muffin.

“Yeah, it is,” I laugh. “No way there’s even a teaspoon of sugar in these.”

He shrugs. “Still not bad, though.” And then he pulls his chin back with a frown. “Oh, wait. Something… crunchy.” His throat bobs as he swallows.

I laugh. “Must be one of those pesky pine nuts.”

“What the hell is a pine nut?”

“No idea.” I swallow the rest of my mouthful, then wipe my fingers on my jeans. “Crap… That was the worst peace offering ever. Total fail.”

“Wasn’t terrible,” he says again, leaning back against the side of the steps, looking almost… relaxed. Wow.

“And!” I hold up a finger, unable to contain my laughter now. “There’s more!”

He watches as I reach back in the bag. Still not smiling, but also not frowning.

“Flavored soda water!” I set the two cans down in front of him with a flourish. “And…” I reach back in the bag. “Lightlyflavored rice chips!” I toss the bag at him and he catches it easily.

He inspects the bag and lets out a scoff that sounds suspiciously like an honest to God laugh. “Jesus… Where does she find this shit?”

“I believe that would be the health food section of a fancy, overly-priced grocery store.”

“This stuff is expensive?”

I take the bag of rice chips from him, turning over the package until I spot the small hand-penned price tag. “She paid seven fifty for these bad boys.”

“Shit.”

“And you wonder why I’m so uptight?” I wrench the bag open. “It’s because I grew up on this crap.”

He watches me pop one of the rice chips into my mouth, then reaches over and pulls out a handful for himself. He shoves two of them into his mouth. His eyebrows lift. “These are decent.”

“They’re totally not.”

“I like ’em.”

I shove the bag back at him. “Knock yourself out. They’re all yours.”

His eyes meet mine… And then it happens.

Dylan Braun smiles at me.

Chapter Twenty-Four

PHONE CALL TRANSCRIPT – Dylan Braun

Treating therapist: Dr. Stuart Morley

Dr. Morley:Yes, hello?

Dylan:I think this girl… I think she’s messing with my head.

Dr. Morley:Is this Dylan?

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