Page 104 of It Starts With A No

Oliver got the utensils out of a drawer and a chipped white plate out of a cabinet. She cut small slices of everything in the containers. While she did that, she explained to Oliver how he should heat the food in the microwave.

“Isn’t it weird to have all this for breakfast?” Oliver asked as she put the plate into the microwave.

She shrugged. “Food is food. And this way, you don’t have to wait for me. You can eat the food whenever you want.” Even if she wasn’t welcome here anymore.

“Aren’t you going to ask why I won’t eat the food until you’ve tried it?”

She licked her lips. “I’m guessing it’s something to do with Holly Eolenfeld?”

“Seth told you?”

“He told me a little about what Holly did.” She took out the food when the microwave beeped. “I’m sure you have your reasons, and you can tell me. Or not.” She shrugged again. “I don’t have to know.”

Clary had just taken a bite of fish when Seth came into the kitchen.

He poured himself a glass of water. “I can leave in fifteen minutes.” And he was out of the kitchen before she could answer him.

“You guys got into a fight?”

She cracked a smile.

“He’ll be fine after a while.”

“Sure.” She continued eating while Oliver watched her.

“Do you love him?”

Clary choked, coughing into her hand as she searched for a glass.

Oliver filled one with water and handed it to her. “Are you okay?”

She coughed again before gulping down a mouthful of water.

“Was that such a shocking question?” Oliver asked.

Her brows rose as she cleared her throat. “Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because …” She licked her lips. “I don’t know what you think we are, but we’re not … together.”

Oliver’s brows drew together. “He brought you home. He’s never brought anyone home—ever.”

She put down the glass and sighed softly. “I’m sorry, Oliver. I don’t have an answer. Right now, I’m not even sure if we’re friends.”

“You’re only saying that because you’re upset with him.”

“It’s the other way around,” she said and picked up her fork. “He’s upset with me.”

“He likes you.”

She laughed once without humor. “Maybe he just likes what I can do for him.”

“Okay, that’s too much information. Seth and your sex life should remain private.”

She frowned. “That wasn’t what I was talking about. We’re sleeping in separate rooms, Oliver.”

He held his hands up in peace.

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