“I watch crime shows,” she said
She studied my face a little longer.
“Something on your mind?”
“Yes.”
“That, yes sounds serious.”
“Probably.”
She stepped aside so I could walk in.
The house smelled like laundry detergent and coffee.
Lily’s absence made it feel bigger.
Mara sat at the kitchen table.
I stayed standing.
She noticed.
“You’re pacing.”
“Thinking.”
She waited.
I respected that about her.
She didn’t rush answers.
“What happened at the garage?” she asked.
“Nothing.”
“Then why are you here in the middle of the afternoon?”
Because Elijah and Jax were right.
Because I was tired of pretending this situation was temporary.
Because Lily calling me Uncle had hit somewhere deeper than I expected.
I leaned against the counter.
“You think I’m temporary.”
She frowned
