Things feel weird for some reason. Last night was fun, I have to admit that, but he’s casual about everything, while I’m overthinking it all.

“So, hand model, huh?” he mocks.

Groaning, I hit my head on the wall. Why did I tell him that? He’s not going to let it go.

PART TWO

TWO MONTHS LATER

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

INDIGO

Elias and I have fallen into a routine over the last few weeks. Me, visiting his parents and helping him find a home, and him, attending every party without complaint. He didn’t even snarl about the exhausting shopping day I put him through.

Elias was great at supporting me in front of my mom. It’s strange, but at the same time, it feels good to know someone has my back.

I still haven’t given him his jacket back; I like to wear it from time to time, even though the weather is getting warmer. I tell myself the only reason I wear it is because it’s comfy.

Touching has also become a normal thing for us. His hand lingering on my leg, especially when we’re driving to his house, or running my hand through his hair on the rare occasions we spend the night at his parents’ house. And there’s been plenty of stolen glances.

I think that’s just because we’re getting used to each other. We’re on good terms. Feeling comfortable around him has been easy, but good things never last.

“I really hope this is the one,” I say as I drag myself onto the front porch.

This must be the third house we’ve visited today and the twentieth this week. He’s too damn picky. It doesn’t have this, why does it have that, hate the placement, too expensive, too cheap.

Elias chuckles as a petite lady opens the door.

“Hello, I’m Cora,” she says, smiling at me then moving her gaze to Elias.

We shake hands, exchange names, and make our way inside. She shows us a stunning white kitchen, not too modern or too old-fashioned, with a big dining table in the center.

I can picture the entire Madden family here, and by the sparkle in Elias’s eyes when he turns to see my reaction, I think he can too. We nod to each other and he moves his attention back to the realtor.

The kitchen and the living room are open-plan, similar to his parents’ house. The couch is pretty ugly, but he can always change it, and there’s space for a TV and PlayStation in front of it. I can easily picture him on the sofa, watching some plant documentary, his dog next to him.

I was surprised when I found out he has a dog. His name is Avocado, apparently because Elias loves avocados. As simple as that. He’s a big golden retriever that loves hugs and licking people’s faces.