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“I made spaghetti.”

I sigh again, but this one is filled with defeat more than annoyance. That actually sounds really good, and I’m a little excited it’s in my house, ready for me.

I was about to settle for cold pizza from two nights ago.

“Okay,” is all I say.

I set my purse down on the kitchen table, shrug off my coat, and hang it over the back of one of the chairs.

I glance at the TV in the living room, where the movie he’d clearly been watching before I walked in is now paused.

I freeze. Is that …

“Are you watching The People We Meet on Vacation?”

“No.”

His answer is fast, but the smile that appears on my face is faster.

“You are.”

I fold my arms and walk toward him. He watches me, quickly sets his bowl down, and then snags the remote before I can reach it.

“Oh my god, just admit it.”

He hits the power button, and the screen goes black.

“Admit what?”

I huff a laugh.

“You’re such a child.” I roll my eyes and make it about three steps toward the kitchen before I hear him right behind me.

“Now, is that any way to speak to your fiancé who cooked you a nice warm dinner on this chilly evening?”

“In the house I’m letting him stay in for free.”

He smirks.

“Yeah, we didn’t really discuss that, but I figured it would be weird if I moved to one of the rooms in the main lodge now.”

I sigh for what feels like the hundredth time of the day.

I did this. I have no one to blame but myself. Sighing is my only outlet at this point.

Instead of answering, I open the cabinet and pull out a bowl. Then I grab a fork and make myself some dinner.

“You’re not speaking. Is that good or bad?” Preston asks, still hovering around me.

I don’t answer.

I’m just mentally drained from this day and having to think in general. Sometimes, I get tired of having to make choices all day. Of being the one everyone comes to for answers. Sometimes, I just want to be told what to do. I want to be the one who doesn’t have to figure everything out. The one who is just along for the ride.

Preston snaps his fingers, and it startles me. “How about I talk and you listen. You can roll your eyes if you like what I’m saying, or you can do nothing if you don’t.”

As if they have a mind of their own, my eyes roll.

“Cool. You like that plan.”