“You kidding me? I’m terrifying.” He makes his hands into claws and tries a snarly face that just ends up adorable. “Don’t wake the beast, Holly.”

I snort and then notice Mrs. Gerhard glancing between us with an unreadable expression.

“You two want anything? Are you hungry? Thirsty?”

“You mind making us a pot of that new tea I got?” Ben releases his pose and gestures at one of the cabinets.

I’m about to tell her not to worry about it, but then I catch a glimpse of Mrs. Gerhard’s face.

The light in her eyes and excited smile make it clear that she is overjoyed at the notion of making us tea. I wonder how often Ben actually asks her for something.

When I lived with Marcus, any chance I got to make his life easier, I jumped on. Every time we went in for his treatments, I could sense the discomfort rolling off him in waves, and there was nothing I could do about it.

What must that be like for a mother?

“Tea would be fantastic.”

“Good, good. You two go ahead, and I’ll put the water on.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Ben gestures for me to lead the way, and I get a strange sense of comfort from the fact that I know where I’m going.

Before I’ve gone too far up the stairs, I remember something and stop to turn back around. However, my abrupt halt results in Ben running into my back and having to catch me before I topple forward on the steps.

“What’s up?” His arm remains wrapped around my waist even though I’ve regained my balance.

I turn in his hold to face him but also so that I can head back downstairs. Standing a step up from Ben, I find myself in the convenient position of being exactly eye-level with him.

All I see is green. Dark green bordering on hazel but not quite there. The green of a dense forest with a canopy that sunlight has trouble penetrating. A place you go to for a sense of calm and stillness, so you can get lost and finally hear your own thoughts without the thunder of others around you. A green you can wrap yourself in and feel safe. A sturdy, reliable green.

The clang of a metal pot settling on a stovetop makes me flinch, and I realize I haven’t answered Ben’s question. And, what’s more, he’s simply standing still and letting me stare into his eyes, like the weirdo he’s claimed I am. I shake my head and beat back my lady urges with a Fred Flintstone–sized club.

“Almost forgot my chair.”

Ben still holds on to me and stops me as I move to step past him.

“Don’t worry about it. There’s one up there for you already.”

A quick glance to the dining room table reveals a complete set, but when I look back at Ben, he just gestures with his chin for me to continue up the stairs. Then, his eyes drop to my mouth, and I’m tempted to bite my lip.