Page 76 of The Minotaur's Valentine

“Thank you. So are you.”

There’s a waiting silence—and I remember why. He asked me about our weekend plans, and I didn’t answer. “Your place is great. For the weekend.”

“Oh. Good.”

More waiting. Was I supposed to say something else?

“Hey, Libby, just out of curiosity—when is your lease up on this apartment?”

My hands freeze, shower head aimed between my thighs, washing away evidence of last night’s activities. “Um. In September, I think.”

“Ah.”

“Why?” Like I don’t know...

“If you ever want to save on rent, you know, so you could have more money for college courses, you can always move in with me. Like you said, it’s Milo-sized. I think all of your furniture would fit. We wouldn’t have to get rid of anything.”

My cheap-growing-up-poor-ass immediately loves the idea of saving money. But I also like the freedom of having my own space.

“I like that idea for the future.” I poke my head around the shower curtain. Milo beams at me. “We need to get a spare key for you. For my place.”

The smile I just saw is nothing compared to the utter rapture on Milo’s face. His tail tippy taps in joy. “Really?”

“Yes! You’re... you’re my best friend.” I say the word and realize it’s true. Milo and I love the same things and have the same ideals. We love each other. “You’re my best friend and my boyfriend.” I lean further out and kiss him on his wide forehead, running one wet hand down his horn. He shudders in pleasure. "I'll go get a key made today."

“You don't have to."

"No, Milo, I want to!" I insist.

"I meant you don't have to go to the hardware store or anything. I also do locksmithing. I have key blanks. When we go back to my place, I’ll make you a spare,” Milo murmurs, leaning into my touch.

“You pack the cats, I’ll pack me.”

Milo nods, then tilts his head. “Can you come to work with me tonight?”

“Sure, why?”

“To shop. For things you can keep at my place. It’d be easier than packing a full bag each time.”

He tries to look innocent, but it doesn’t work. “They have clothes there? Like, normal clothes, not witchy clothes?”

“Chloe’s Curiosities is an odds-and-ends stall. She always has racks of clothes, shoes, and hats. She has used books and dishes. Basically, she’s like a mobile Goodwill. She has a brick-and-mortar location on the second floor of the music store on Pinecrest.”

“I never knew that! I wish I’d known that. Thrift stores were my catnip during high school. I got my first pair of Doc Martens for six dollars at the Salvation Army store in Allentown.”

“We could go to the mall, too, it’s just... easier to shop in Pine Ridge if we want to go together.”

I nod and pop back behind the curtain. I have to rinse my hair.

That’s right. There are plenty of places I’ll go where Milo can’t come. Well, not easily. If I want freedom, I’ll have it in most malls, my college courses, my office, my job...

I feel like someone is squishing all the air out of me. Sadness. It’s sadness, tightening my chest like a vise. I love freedom and being a loner who doesn’t need anyone, but the thought of not having Milo with me sucks.

It’s hard to put all of that into words, especially when you feel like you can’t even breathe.

Chapter Fifty-Eight: Milo

Have you seen that movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding?

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