Tangled

50 Ava: The Grey Girl

“Good morning,” Clayton says with a smile, and I step back to let him into the apartment. He pauses for just a moment when he sees Selene, and I wait for the questions–but he doesn’t ask any.

He’s polite like that.

Honestly, outside of my paranoia and not wanting to rely on him, he seems like a pretty great guy.

Clayton strides into the kitchen like he owns it–which, I mean, he does–while I stand around feeling awkward and out of place in this fancy apartment. He seems so at home here, like he belongs.

“Everything okay with the phone?” he calls out from the kitchen. “You didn’t text me this morning.”

“Oh, uh, no issues,” I reply, glancing down at the sleek new device on the end table. “I just woke up a little while ago and haven’t set it up yet.” S~ᴇaʀᴄh the (ꜰind)ɴʘvel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

There’s a brief pause, and then the sound of a pot clattering onto the stove. “Have you eaten?”

I shake my head, even though he can’t see me. “No,

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50 Ava: The Grey Girl

not yet.”

“Well, go relax then. I’ll whip up some breakfast.”

Before I can protest, he emerges from the kitchen, those intense green eyes fixing me with a look that brooks no argument. Grasping my shoulders, he turns me towards the plush couch and gives me a gentle nudge in that direction.

“Go on, I’ve got this.”

I open my mouth to argue, but one glance at his resolute expression has me snapping it shut again. Instead, I just nod and make my way over to the couch, sinking into the soft cushions with a sigh.

Selene, ever my loyal companion, leans against me as she focuses on her show, resting her head on my lap. I absently run my fingers through her soft fur, trying to ignore the sounds of Clayton puttering around in the kitchen.

1

cook for me. Take care of me. I’m so used to being the one doing all the work, all the cooking and cleaning. Having someone else step into

But at the

The Grey Girl

change. To be taken care of, instead of being the one doing

who thinks he’s

used to having Clayton around. This isn’t permanent, no matter how much he might want it to

bacon on a hot pan has my ears perking up–Selene’s, too–and the smell reaches my nose a few seconds later. My stomach gives

I can let him take care of me for just a little while longer.

little comfortable, right? Since I

***

with Clayton

touch me. No more kisses on the forehead. He’s just there, polite and

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38

The Grey Girl

I’m taken care of.

have anything against Clayton in the first place. She doesn’t like the

in about Lucas every

to think about him, I focus on my cup

of o

a little side–eye,

a lot of flavor to mask its real taste.

rings. I try to settle into my role as a couch potato, but my ears can’t help picking up his

the sugary taste

through my

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Ava: The

out, even with the mindless chatter of the television providing background noise.

with Blackwood

my spine, and I clutch my mug a little

demands, but they’re refusing…”

sinks as the implications of

sink in.

Westwood? Is a war

to be at the

catch it before the scalding liquid spills all over my lap. My breath catches in

Grey girl.