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He swallows. “My head is swimming.”

“I’ll adjust the dose as needed.” I lead him farther into the room.

He comes with me. That’s promising too.

“You have choices.” I point to the shelves as I name them. “We can color. I have puzzles, but those aren’t as much fun with two people. We can make bracelets. There are games in the cabinet.”

I don’t mention tea. That really works better with more than one. Besides, I’m out of the cookies I like. The clerk said they’d be back in stock yesterday. I can fetch them when I go by Jamie’s old place.

“Or I could go home.”

“You are home.” I tighten my grip in his. “Do you realize what it means to be the first? Ungrateful little shit.”

He draws in a sharp breath.

I force a smile. “Pick.”

He’s doing much better now that he’s eaten. He’s still frightened, but he’s thinking again. I prefer that. Fear makes dolls react without considering what happens afterward.

His eyes travel around the room again. They stop on the friendship bracelet board. “That.”

I follow his gaze. “Bracelets?”

“If I have to do one of them.”

“You do.” I take the board from the floor.

Jamie watches me carry it to the beanbag.

“Come sit.”

He hesitates. I don’t repeat myself. After a moment, he comes over and lowers himself beside me. His skirt settles perfectly across his thighs.

I pull the bead containers closer and open the first one between us.

Jamie looks down at the rows of colors. “You really kidnapped me to do crafts with you.”

“Among other things.”

He fingers a bead and swallows hard again.

I pick out the beads for Jamie’s bracelet first. Black and silver, with dark green between them. The green brings out his eyes.

Jamie reaches into the container and picks up a red bead. I take it from him and put it back. He looks at me, then chooses a blue one. I put that one back too.

“Seriously?”

“It doesn’t match.”

“I’m the one wearing it.”

“And you belong to me. You wear what I say.”

He reaches for another.

I move the bracelet I’m making out of his reach. “You clearly don’t know what you’re doing.” I cut another length of cord and give it to him. “You may play with this.”

Jamie stares at the cord in his hand. “Thank you so much.”