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I turned my attention back to the screen and forced myself to pay attention. As the movie went on, I stole little glances at the man beside me. I can’t believe I’m doing this.

The ending credits rolled on the screen. By the third movie, I had fewer questions.

“It’s getting late,” Tex said but made no move to leave.

Turning off the screen, I stood up. “Come on, we should check on Penelope.”

Tex nodded. He sat there for another second before he got up and grabbed the containers that had held our popcorn.

“You don’t want to vacuum the place before we go?” Tex asked.

Most people would have rushed me along, telling me I could clean it later. “Yes.”

Tex nodded. “Is there special cleaning equipment in here?”

“The cabinet next to the closet door.”

Tex went over to it and pulled out the cleaning supplies. He handed me the vacuum as he used the lint roller on the recliners, even those we hadn’t used.

“Stop watching me. I know you saw my place while it was a mess, but I know how to clean.”

“Why are you cleaning now?”

Tex’s black brows dipped, and his nose scrunched up. “Because I can tell it was bothering you. During the last movie, you kept looking to the floor where some popcorn had fallen.”

I had, but I hadn’t thought he noticed.

“There, all done,” Tex said.

He put the stuff away but in the wrong spot. I went behind him and fixed it.

“Noted, everything has a spot. You know it’s impossible to memorize them all. Get a label maker or something.”

“I don’t mind going behind you and fixing it.”

Cleaning was the one thing I had completely under my control. There was no extra thought that went into it.

Once everything was cleaned up, we headed to the parking garage. Tex was silent the entire time, his shoulders slumped. I expected him to continue talking during the drive, but he was quiet until we pulled up to his apartment complex.

“Well, I guess I wi—” Tex hopped out of the car. “Where are you going?”

“Inside,” I said, pointing to his door.

Tex opened his mouth, but I placed a finger over his lips. “Don’t waste your time. I’m not going anywhere.”

A heavy sigh left Tex as he gave in. Keys in hand, he jammed into the lock in seconds. He put in a code on the wall, and I eyed it.

“New security?”

“Someone broke into my place,” Tex said, giving me a pointed look.

I hummed as if it hadn’t been me. I found Penelope weaving between my legs, meowing for attention.

“How did you come up with the name Penelope?” I picked the beautiful orange cat up, scratching behind his ears as he purred in my arms.

Tex moved closer and began to pet Penelope. My chest tightened, and I tried to grasp onto what made me feel that way. It was tangled up in the webs of emotions that I constantly tried to untangle.

“It’s a boring story.” He tapped his finger on the cat’s nose. “Isn’t that right, Pen?”