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Besides, I avoided detection during Operation Doggles.

He's just shopping. I'm the one being weird.

Roman turns suddenly.

I dive into the nearest aisle... which happens to be personal care. I grab something and pretend to study it.

Roman's footsteps pass.

I wait.

Then look down. Adult diapers.

“For fuck's sake.”

A man farther down the aisle looks at me.

“They're for my grandmother.”

He nods slowly.

I don't have a grandmother. Not anymore.

Jesus, Callie.

I put them back and peek around the corner.

Roman is gone. Again.

“How does a man that size keep disappearing?”

I move faster, checking aisle after aisle.

No Roman.

I finally find him in the frozen foods aisle.

He opens a freezer door. I immediately stop.

I’m drooling over his reflection in the glass when my eyes widen. Fuck! Freezer doors reflect things.

I turn my back to him and study the frozen peas.

See? I'm learning.

I glance sideways.

Roman closes the door and moves on.

I wait, then follow.

That’s when something occurs to me. Yesterday, he went to the gym in the morning. Today, the grocery store. Same general time.

I tilt my head.

Roman likes routines.

I don't know his yet. But everybody has them. Places they go. Things they do. Days they do them.