“That is not useful.”
“I dislike movies where a dog dies, where a horse dies, or where a dog has to watch a horse die.”
“That last one seems unusually specific.”
“I’ve been hurt before.”
I smiled.
Ellie rested one hand lightly on my waist.
“We don’t have to decide what tonight is before it happens.”
The knot inside me loosened.
“That sounded emotionally mature.”
“I have occasional episodes.”
“Should I be concerned?”
“They usually pass.”
I leaned forward and kissed her.
Not because I needed to avoid answering.
Mostly.
She kissed me back slowly, one hand still at my waist, the other touching my jaw.
For several seconds, the kitchen became very quiet.
Then the refrigerator made a violent cracking sound.
I jumped.
Ellie pulled back.
“What was that?”
“I don’t know.”
“Is your food fighting?”
“It’s possible. There are territorial cheeses.”
She opened the refrigerator.
Cold light spilled across her face.
“Annie.”
“What?”
“There are three pies.”
“They’re different.”
