Page 116 of The Enemy Face Off

"It's not too stylish," I say, curling my hand around his arm and gently steering him away from the window. "It's just the right amount of stylish. Besides, I assume you're going to grow it out again?"

"I am."

"Then it's a good thing she left a little length."

"Yeah, I suppose you're right."

"I'm always right. Now, back to my question. Are we free this afternoon?"

"We are."

"Good. Because I'm ready."

We come to a sudden halt.

"Ready for…?"

"I think you know." I grin up at him. "Unless that's not amenable for you."

"Oh, no. It's amenable. It's incredibly amenable. It's more amenable than anything has ever been amenable in the entire history of human amenableness."

I giggle. "Good."

He looks at me with soft, caring eyes. "Are you sure?"

"I am." I exhale. "I feel safe with you, and I want to do this. Iwantyou, Milo."

His eyes light up. "You are safe, Beth. I promise you."

I slide my hand over his solid chest. "I know. Now let's get moving."

We get moving.

"Uhhh…"

We get moving all the way to my house until we spot Boden and the kids playing out the front of Milo's place.

"Don't worry. I have a secret route," I say, grabbing him by the hand.

"Do I want to know why you need to have a secret route to your own house?" he asks as we sneak past the rose bushes by the side of my other neighbor, Mrs. Hinkley's house.

"You really don't."

We sneak through her backyard, and I lift the loose fence palings for Milo to go under. He goes first then spins around, holding them up for me.

We race through my yard and into my house through the back door for an afternoon I will never forget as long as I live.

I let out a startled noise as I'm sprayed with water from the tub.

"Jonah, no," Milo says firmly, and Jonah stops splashing immediately. "Here. Play with your new boat."

"Oh-tay."

Milo hands me a towel. "I'm so sorry. But I did warn you."

I start drying off. "You did. Several times. I just didn't believe one small kid could splash so much."

"Welcome to toddler bathtime."

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