Page 18 of They Are Mine

I follow, taking in everything.

The whole house looks like her.

Soft and delicate, whites and creams and blush pink.

The furniture, the décor, it all matches her aesthetic perfectly. Everything feels clean, put together, cozy. Like the kind of house where someone lights candles just because.

And it smells so fucking good.

Not like a specific perfume, just warm, floral, fresh. Like her.

She’s at the sink now, filling a vase with water. Careful. Focused.

I lean against the counter, watching her. She’s so graceful in everything she does. Like she was made to be admired.

“I really love them,” she says again, looking over her shoulder. Soft and sweet and sincere. “No one’s ever brought me flowers before.”

I blink. “Wait. Really?”

She shrugs, arranging the bouquet, placing them on the counter like they belong there. “I mean, maybe once. A long time ago. But not like this. Not pink and white ones just because.” She looks up at me through her lashes.

I feel that look everywhere.

Before I can respond, before I can even process how crazy it is that no one has brought her flowers before I realize.

It’s just her and me.

No one else is here.

I glance at the empty living room. The quiet hallway. The complete lack of ‘friends’ anywhere.

Something tightens in my chest.

Not in a bad way, just in a way.

She sees me looking and bites her lip.

I swear to God she looks nervous.

“Oh,” she says softly. “Yeah, so… they kind of all cancelled last minute.”

I blink. “Oh.”

“I’m so sorry,” she says, tucking her hair behind her ear. “I should’ve told you sooner. I just.” She gestures toward the counter. “I have all this stuff ready. Popcorn, pizza, chips… I’ll never need all this by myself. But if you want to cancel too, I completely understand.”

She looks so apologetic.

Like she’s worried I’ll leave.

I shake my head. Fast. “Hell no.”

Her shoulders drop in relief.

Fuck.

Her whole face lights up.

“Really?” she asks, like she didn’t expect me to stay. Like she doesn’t realize I’d rather be here, alone with her, than anywhere else.

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