Page 35 of Flawless

“So, are you going to sit up on that counter and keep talking about it? Or are you going to hop down here with me and learn how to cook?”

“Nah, I think I’ll sit right here beside you and watch you prepare our meal.”

“You have to do something to earn your meal,” he says, causing me to freeze up. “You can’t eat for free.”

Memories of another time in my life when I was told that I would have to earn my way to the top flood my mind.

Finding my voice, I reply, “I’m letting you stay here for free, aren’t I?”

Zenon’s hand slows, and he turns his gaze to me. “Sorry, Dani. I didn’t mean any harm. I was just teasing you.”

Shaking my head, I say, “It’s okay.”

“Is that a problem? Do you need me to pay you? I can, and I won’t have a problem with it.”

I hop off the counter and say, “No. I’m good. I was just...never mind.”

“Hey, where are you going?” Zenon calls after me as I slip out of the kitchen.

Before I realize it, Zenon has his hand wrapped around my wrist, and he stops me.

“Did I say something wrong?” he asks.

“No, I was just going outside for a walk.”

“This late in the evening?”

“Why not?”

“Maybe because we were in the middle of cooking and talking.”

“I was finished.”

“Look at me, Dani.”

I roll my eyes, but I still don’t meet his gaze.

“Dani,” he says softly, tilting my head up and turning it in his direction.

“What?”

“What did I say to offend you?”

“It’s not you.”

“Then tell me. What is it?”

“It’s hard, Z. Don’t push me.”

“I’m not trying to push you, but I’ve been watching you since you arrived. Something’s off, and I know that we’re not a thing anymore, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t still care about you. You ran away this morning when I thought you were opening up. You can’t keep running, Dani.”

That was one of the reasons that I pushed Zenon away. He could always see straight through me. He understood me in ways that most didn’t, and I had too much to hide, too much to be ashamed of, and I didn’t want him judging me.

“It’s nothing, really, Z.”

“What did I tell you about lying to me?”

I look down and notice that he’s still holding my hand.