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Moving was finished by evening.

I ordered delivery and sat on the living room floor with Elliot and ate it.

Halfway through, the lights went out. A tripped breaker.

I reached for my phone on instinct.

Elliot was already up, heading for the fuse box.

A few minutes later, the lights came back on.

He came back and sat down across from me.

I said, laughing: "Is there anything you can't do?"

"Yes."

"What?"

"Pursue someone I care about."

My chopsticks almost dropped.

The room went quiet.

I looked at him, throat tightening.

"Is this a disclosure or an ambush?"

"A notification." He sat steadily. "I know you may not be ready for anything new right now, and I don't want you to feel any pressure."

"Then why tell me?"

"Because I don't want to wait any longer."

He spoke plainly, always. It was mildly overwhelming.

"Stella, I'm not here because you're available. I just want you to know — when you're ready to move forward, I'll be here."

I held my chopsticks for a long time.

Finally I got out: "Elliot. That's not fair."

"Do you want to rule me in contempt?"

I couldn't help it. I laughed.

"You're a solicitor. Don't use that kind of language to mess with me."

"I'm not messing with you."

I knew he wasn't.

Which was exactly why it undid me slightly.

I looked back down at my food.

"Eat first."

He looked at me.

"All right."