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“She used a Sharpie.”

Larissa covered her mouth with her hand and choked on her laugh.

I was also trying not to laugh.

“How did you not feel this?” she asked, shaking her head.

“I thought it was one of the face-paint markers.”

“Where were the parents?”

“Not close enough to save me?” I said.

“You know what they look like…” she asked, squinting to study my face closer.

“I know what they look like.”

“Was she trying to draw balloons?” She started breaking up on the last word. “It looks like you fell asleep at a frat party—”

“Okay, find your own ride, I’m out of here.” I turned for the car, pretending to leave.

“Chris, wait! I’ll be good!” She was laughing. “Come back!”

I turned and shot her a mock look of indignation. She was standing in the doorway, doubled over, her blue eyes sparkling. It almost made my face art worth it. Almost.

I took her in while I was pretending to be mad. She was wearing a short-sleeve top, knotted at the waist, shorts. Her long wavy hair was down and partly pulled back in a clip. Barefoot. Again.

She looked beautiful. As always.

I came over to where she stood, still cracking up in the door. She straightened and bit her lip, trying to get ahold of herself.

“Are you done?” I said, trying to look serious and failing.

“Yes. Totally. Probably.”

I shifted Woofarine to the other side. “I’m already dealing with enough abuse from you.”

She gasped. “I do not abuse you,” she said defensively.

“Well, you’re not nice to me.”

“I am so nice to you,” she said, beaming.

“I’m too fragile to have you tease me about this for the next five hours.”

“Do you want me to put some makeup on it?” she asked. “I could at least color in the balloons so they don’t look like little sperms headed for your eye.”

I wanted to dive in to tickle her. I didn’t move.

“I brought you something,” I said. “But now I’m not sure you deserve it.”

She crossed her arms and waited.

I smiled and leaned down and picked up the lavender iced matcha I brought her.

Her eyes lit up. “How did you know I wanted to try this?”

“I felt it shimmer down the trauma bond.”