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Too much.

"Thank you."

She hands me the mug.

"You're welcome."

She looks out at the trees.

"Five days ago, I thought this house was haunted."

"It was."

She sighs.

"You know what I mean."

"I do."

She leans against the porch railing.

"Now it just needs repairs."

"Also true."

She smiles. A real one. The kind that reaches her eyes. It's still strange seeing her happy. Not because she doesn't deserve it. Because I know how long she went without it.

The door opens again. Sayer steps outside. He is wearing a Halloween hoodie covered in tiny black bats. I look at it. He notices.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"You hate it."

"I didn't say that."

"You made a face."

"I did not."

Carys looks between us.

"You both do this constantly."

"Do what?" Sayer asks.

"Argue without actually arguing."

He considers that.

"Sounds like a family thing."

The word hangs there. Family. Not forced. Not painful. Just true. An awkward throat-clearing sound emanates from the street.

Carys goes still. We turn toward the noise.

I feel it too. Not danger. Something else. Expectation.