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“Lights off,” Hugo’s reflection added.

“No,” Alice’s reflection corrected. “Leave them on. I want to stare into your eyes.”

“Oh, I love you,” Hugo’s reflection said.

“I loved you first,” Alice’s reflection replied.

He lifted her up, and she wrapped her arms and legs around him. They renewed their sensual conquest.

“You two have fun,” Alice said.

Alice’s reflection waved for her to go away. Alice moved back into the bedroom, and Hugo followed.

“Have you considered getting a normal mirror? Hang that other one off to the side, so I don’t have to guess at how I look.” He tugged on his sleeves and fixed his shirt collar.

“Where’s the fun in that?” Alice said with a smile. “You look fine.”

They exited the bedroom and descended the stairs. Loud whines, playful growls, and the occasional dog toy squeaker echoed from the living room. Hugo and Alice removed their coats from the rack and slipped them on. They glanced into the living room at the noise.

Max held her toy cauldron in her mouth, a gift from Alice last Christmas, shaking it back and forth. She bent down in a downward dog position, ready to jump and play, except her partner was unwilling.Guinevere hovered in the air, unfazed by the playful advances of the golden retriever.

“I don’t think she wants to play with you, buddy,” Hugo said.

Max stopped and focused on him, her tail wagging with excitement. She trotted over to Hugo and Alice, excited at the prospect of leaving.

He continued, “You have to stay. We’ll be back.”

Alice bent down and rubbed Max’s head. “You be good while we’re gone. Keep Gwennie company. We’ll see you later.”

Max stood there, thrashing her golden tail back and forth in a manipulative attempt to get them to take her with them. It didn’t work.

They opened the door and exited.

“Be good. See you later,” Hugo said as he closed the black door behind him.

Darkness engulfed Ravenhill Drive. Nighttime crept in earlier and earlier in the chilly November air. Only the light from porch lamps fought back. A car or two drove down the street. Children played and protested as they were called inside for the evening.

“Are you ready?” Alice asked.

“Yep,” Hugo replied.

“I mean, are you ready to go in there?”

Hugo paused, focusing on his former white, folk Victorian home. He flexed his hand and then nodded. “Yeah.”

“Are you certain? We can call it off if you don’t want to go.”

“I’m good. It was my home. It’s not any longer.” He tapped the purple siding of their house with the back of his hand. “This is my home now. I’m good.”

Alice smiled and took his hand.

“You’re not going to stare at her all night, are you?” Hugo teased.

“For the last time, I think I was dehydrated or something. I got lightheaded and was kind of out of it for a while,” Alice replied.

Hugo arched his eyebrow and smiled to give her a playful, discerning look.

“Honest.”