“First line item,” she says, grabbing a pen and hovering it over the paper. “Rent.” “Blue, we own the house outright.” She ignores me. “I’m going to need at least two ‘I love yous’ every morning and another before bed. I’m a bit needy, you know. Words of affirmation and all that. And we should really build an in-home library, and maybe a greenhouse in the back for winter.” A laugh heaves in my chest. “I think I can handle that form of payment.” “Well, that was easy. Let’s move on. Rules.” She writes the word down, identically matching the lease I made for her. “What are your rules, Ind?”
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