Page 275 of Safe With You

“You sure?”

“Ellis.”

“I’m asking.”

My eyes drifted toward the towel before coming back to him. “It’s not that easy.”

His expression softened.

“I didn’t say it was.”

I knew he didn’t. He hadn’t asked me to change overnight or made me feel like I was doing something wrong every time an old habit showed up.

I let my hand fall away from the towel.

“I’m trying.”

“I know.”

He turned back toward the sink like that was enough, and somehow, that made it easier to walk away.

I sat on the couch and reached for my phone...

Ellis looked at Mila. “Why do you have your backpack?”

“You said put it by the door.”

“I meant put it by the door. Not wear it.”

“Oh.”

She slipped it off and carried it toward the front of the house.

I looked at Ellis. “She follows directions.”

“Eventually.”

Mila returned without the backpack and stopped in front of us.

“Pudding.”

Not a question.

I laughed.

Ellis pushed himself off the couch. “You got five minutes.”

“Five?”

“You have school tomorrow.”

“That’s not enough time.”

“To eat pudding?”

She thought about it. “Seven.”

“Five.”