White walls.
White doves.
White ice.
Snow.
Clouds.
Bedsheets.
Arctic foxes.
Pupils.
Polar bears.
Salt.
Pure.
Blank.
White.
The passenger door clicks open and shut, startling me.
One more white: her dress.
The only shade of the color I don’t hate right now.
My knee-jerk reaction is to slip on the happy-go-lucky mask I’ve worn most of my life. The one that keeps things light. But I don’t have to with her, do I?
We’re not clean or controlled. We’re messy. But still so fucking bright.
Maybe the rest of my life could use a little of that.
“Do you always keep your car keys on you?” Mia asks, breaking the silence. It was deafening a minute ago, but now, with her, it’s comfortable.
I nod toward the hooks by the door, where all the keys hang.
“You’re not worried someone might steal one?”
I shrug. “I’ve got insurance. And the garage only opens with my fingerprint.”
She shakes her head. “Must be nice to be that rich.”
I wonder why she’s talking about locks and cars and keys. Then I realize she’s doing exactly what I need, pulling me out of my head.
“Do you wanna talk about it?” she asks, careful not to disturb the peace she’s somehow brought with her.
“No.” I drum on the wheel.
“Okay.” She watches me, then lowers her voice. “I should tell you… I may or may not have scared your mom off. Just a heads-up. I’m sorry if I overstepped.”
A laugh escapes me. “My little pit bull.”
I shift closer, sliding my arms around her waist and resting my forehead on her shoulder. I press a kiss there.