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‘I wasn’t entirely debased by it. He was a pretty good sport.’ I smile at the memory of him then going on to list fart synonyms for me to choose from.

‘Yep.’ Lavender cracks her knuckles. ‘Just like I said. You got it bad, bad,’ she emphasises.

I worry my lip between my teeth. ‘Lavender, is he safe?’ I ask, since she’s intent on keeping her secrets. I think if I ask her outright, maybe she’ll give me an answer. Or maybe her non-answer will.

Her smile is sad. ‘Is any man?’

I swallow the fear. Nod. I get it. Guard my heart.

The sun is climbing higher. I may be friends with my boss now, but she’ll still have my head if I’m late. I leave the coffee half-finished.

I get to the gate when I turn back and ask something that’s been bugging me a while. A little niggling feeling worming in my brain.

‘Hey, Lav!’ I call.

She looks up. ‘What does he get? For retrieving this thing that you guys are looking for?’

‘Freedom.’

I knew this day would come. I’ve been walking to work early before he opens to avoid a confrontation. But this morning I was distracted.

‘Work today?’ I cupped the mug in both hands, hip leant against the counter.

‘Yes,’ he said, looking out the window and then at me. ‘You?’

‘Yes.’

‘Good.’ He nodded.

‘Great.’ I traced patterns that weren’t there on the kitchen bench. ‘So, um⁠—’

‘I’ll see you at five?’ he asked.

‘For?’

He came to me, then. I’d forgotten how tall he was. I had to crane my neck to look up at him. His eyes caught on that wayward lock of hair always terrorising my line of vision. His lips picked up at the edge, and he tugged on the lock. ‘To talk.’ He brushed his mouth against my own. Only cool pressure on my lips where I wished I could feel him. ‘Mill⁠—

‘—er! Miller, wait up!’

I hasten my step.

‘Miller!’ Hot Face calls again, a little quieter. I look over my shoulder to see if I’ve lost him. Ah. Yes. I smile. I’m not one to brag, but I am quite quick for someone afflicted by stubby legs. I fix my gaze ahead and⁠—

‘Ah. I finally caught you.’ He smiles. Mine drops.

Shit.

I copy and paste the smile I had a few lines back. ‘You did. You win.’ I sidestep him and continue the path.

‘Miller, are you not even going to let me explain?’ How he matches my strides walking backwards is actually quite impressive.

‘I wasn’t planning to, no.’

He scoffs. ‘So, one mistake, one error and I’m done.’

‘Pretty much, yeah.’ I tsk. ‘Sorry.’

‘It was just⁠—’