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Setting the phone down on the top of the table, Ann stretched her back and twisted from side to side to release her taut muscles. Even though it was only a phone call, it had been helpful. Lila was far more magical than she probably thought she was.

It was a quiet couple of hours until Heidi came home, but when the front door opened, Ann was ready for it. She stood up and walked over, holding her arms out. Heidi walked right into Ann’s embrace, collapsing into her chest. Running her hands up and down Heidi’s back, Ann marveled at how thin Heidi had become. She’d been wasting away the last week, barely eating and only under duress when Ann scolded her.

“How was your day?” Ann asked.

“Long,” Heidi whimpered. “Better now that I’m home.”

“Do you have to go back?”

“No, not unless something happens.”

“Good.” Ann brushed a kiss in Heidi’s hair. “I’m glad you’re home.”

“Where else would I go?” Heidi tensed.

“Nowhere. Just…I’m glad you’re home, that’s all. I missed you while you were at work. It was far too quiet.”

Heidi hummed. “Something smells good.”

Ann cringed. That was Heidi’s go-to, avoid when she was uncomfortable or didn’t want to talk about something.

“What is it?”

“Cauliflower tacos.”

“Yummy.” Heidi pulled off her jacket and brushed passed Ann toward the kitchen. “Should we eat?”

“I suppose.” As they sat down with their food, Ann watched every move Heidi made. She wanted to make sure she was doing something right by letting Heidi ignore the tension and emotion and push through it. She wished there was some kind of manual that came with this kind of stuff, but unfortunately, there wasn’t. Not at least as far as she could figure out.

They made small talk while they ate, Ann still being careful to catch every change in Heidi’s demeanor. She wanted to catch even the slightest hiccup in the facade Heidi insisted on putting on. Ann kept waiting for Heidi to break again, if only so she could catch her when she fell.

“Why do you keep staring at me?” Heidi’s sharp tone cut deep.

Ann pursed her lips before gathering the dishes. “Nothing.”

“No, why?”

“I’m concerned about you is all.”

“Don’t be. I’m fine.”

“Sure you are,” Ann muttered, hoping it was quiet enough Heidi didn’t hear. However, when she turned to look, she knew she’d made a mistake and said it far too loud. “I…I didn’t—”

“It doesn’t matter, Ann.” Pain flashed through Heidi’s gaze before she muted it and then masked it. Ann’s heart nearly broke at being the cause. “I’m going to take a shower and then go to bed.”

“Already? But you just got home.”

“I’m tired.”

Ann scrambled, her mind spinning to try and put a stop to what was happening, what she had caused. “I thought we could hang out.”

“Hang out?” Heidi’s voice deepened with accusation. “Sex. You mean sex.”

“No!” Ann shook her head, coming back into the dining room as Heidi stood. “No, I don’t mean sex, at all.”

Heidi rolled her eyes. “It’s always about sex with you.”

“It’s not!” Ann pleaded. It did seem that way. It was what they most often fought over, but it couldn’t be just that, and this most definitely wasn’t. “I thought we could spend some time together.”