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"Saved by tomatoes."

I smile. "Convenient."

We eat at the kitchen table while the storm continues outside. Afterward, we clean up together. Javier washes. I dry.

"Your system is inefficient," I tell him.

"My system worked perfectly before you got here."

"That's usually what people say right before I improve something."

He hands me a plate. "You're not reorganizing my kitchen."

"I wasn't planning to."

He looks at me.

"Yet."

I smile.

The lights go out. Everything disappears. The plate in my hands nearly slips.

For one second, I can't move. Outside, lightning flashes. Thunder cracks so loudly the windows shake. My breath catches.

"Easy." Javier's voice comes through the darkness. "Power goes out sometimes. I've got candles."

I hear him move away.

"Martinez?"

"Right here."

His footsteps continue. I can't see him. Another flash. Another crash of thunder.

"Martinez?"

He stops. "Yeah?"

“Where are you?”

Something in my voice must've changed, because his answer comes differently. "Maddy?"

"Don't leave me."

Silence. Then footsteps. Fast. His hands find my arms in the darkness.

"I'm here."

I reach for him. He pulls me against his chest. My hands close around his shirt. I hate that I'm shaking. Javier doesn't mention it. He simply holds me. One hand settles at the back of my head, the other firm around my waist.

"I would never leave you," he says quietly.

I close my eyes against his chest. "Thank you."

His hand moves slowly over my back. "You're safe."

Another rumble rolls outside. I breathe him in. Warm skin. Clean cotton. Javier. The shaking begins to ease. He doesn't let go until I do.