I couldn't remember the last time I cleaned my house. And when I returned from my scouting assignment – the second out of four to find the best way in – I was convinced that I wouldn't be able to take another second of being on my feet. Apparently, all it took was a hot bath to remind me that Ryder was coming over. And my house looked like a dozen thieves had just pillaged it. I had grown up in a spotless house that was always deep-cleaned before guests came over, and here I was, living my mother's nightmare. If she could see me now. Well, if she could process what she saw, she would be livid with me.

And didn't I deserve a clean home beyond the purpose of presenting it to someone else?

I got to work while putting on one of my favorite playlists. Who said cleaning had to be suffering? I danced around my kitchen with a broom then over my carpets with a vacuum cleaner that was older than I was. I hummed tunes as I scrubbed toothpaste off my bathroom mirror and gunk out of my kitchen sink. Though I had a mountain of laundry, it didn't seem so bad when I took it one item at a time. The amount of clothing I had was insane now that it was actually folded and stuffed into a dresser. I did all those things I hadn't done in months, from dusting baseboards to scrubbing toilets. And when I stood in my sparkling living room at the end of it, something tingled in my chest. Not quite pride, not quite happiness. A little ember burning in my heart.

I felt human.

Not a robot who worked behind a counter serving customers all day. Not an assassin who dealt killing blows.

I was just a young woman, in my own place, doing something for me. And a cute guy who would be arriving sooner than I liked.

My next predicament was finding something decent to wear. Yes, all of my clothes were clean now, but I didn't own much outside of sturdy pants with millions of pockets and moisture-wicking tops. I wanted to look comfortable, but not too comfortable, like I wasn't trying for him. Where did that leave me for make up?

While leaning over my dresser, I gave a frustrated sigh and almost slammed the drawer shut. I needed someone for this. I needed a friend I could call and lean on, someone who would giggle over my options and tell me that yes, I could wear mascara, or no, I shouldn't because it looked like I was trying too hard.

But, like my home, friendships had been neglected and had fallen apart.

I eventually decided that if I could deliver a killing blow, I could also dress myself. Buttery black leggings were pulled up my thighs along with an oversized tourist shirt that I had picked up in New York on a family trip. My slightly damp hair was pulled into a messy braid that trailed down my back like an auburn rope.

With five minutes to spare, I pirouetted around my home, making sure that anything personal, strange, or dangerous was put away. The last thing I needed was to have a conversation about why I owned so many daggers.

Then, he was at my door.

I almost ripped the damn things off the hinges to get to him.

"Hey," he greeted, already thrusting something into my hands.

While I stepped back to let him in, I saw that I was holding a nice wooden board covered with an assortment of cheeses and meats, along with some fruit and crackers.

"Hi. This looks amazing, but you didn't have to bring anything." I said the words but my mouth was already watering. Like the terrible hostess I was, I hadn't even considered feeding him. This was a blessing.

"Come on, you finally tell me your name and you invite me to your place. We have to celebrate." He slung off his light jacket and hung it on the hooks. "Wait, this is your house, right?"

I couldn't even blame him for being skeptical. "Yes. Well, I mean, I'm renting, but it's mine for now."

The corner of his mouth curled ever so slightly, but he said nothing as I gave him a limp tour. It mostly consisted of the tiny kitchen, the smaller bathroom, and the living room where we would be spending most of our time. To be frank, it never looked quite so sad to me, all mismatched and tattered.

"Are these your parents?" he asked, honing in on a small picture I had on the coffee table.

My throat immediately closed, cutting off the thoughts of inadequacy. It wasn't the photo in my bedroom with my parents in wheelchairs. This was taken years ago, before wolf drain had struck them. I had a beautifully practiced smile on my face, the one I perfected for photos with friends, and my parents shone from behind me. standing on the beach in Spain with my whole family seemed like a lifetime ago. My brother was as stoic as ever beside me, refusing to smile for the camera. I remembered thinking that I would hate him forever, as siblings do.

I just didn't know it would become a reality.

"Uh, yeah," I finally managed. "We all went to Barcelona when I was still in high school."

"That must have been an amazing trip. Is that your brother?"

"Yes."

"Oh, awesome. Does he live nearby too?"

Whatever lively feeling had filled my chest before evaporated, leaving me wanting to crumple inward. "We don't talk anymore. I don't really know where he is right now." I didn't add the part that he had abandoned me and my parents when things got hard.

"Shit, I'm sorry, I didn't mean—"

"You didn't know," I reasoned. I gestured to the couch I had purchased used three years ago. "We can talk about serious things after I kick your butt."

One of the things I knew about myself was that I was ridiculously competitive with absolutely everything I touched. Maybe a smarter girl would have reeled Ryder in by planning the cute and sweet card. Once I had a controller in my hands, I didn't care about any of that. I was a menace. The only times I left Ryder get ahead of me were when I knew I could intentionally sabotage him. I drifted around courses, swearing at every minor inconvenience, and doing a very impolite celebration every time I won, then would shovel snacks into my mouth and carry on to the next round. I could have played for hours, like a child who finally found someone to play Barbies with.

I forgot who I was even racing against until I felt his leg press against the side of mine.

I felt each of my muscles contract at the sensation. How had I forgotten he was right there? How had I gone from a cleaning frenzy to treating him like a best friend in a matter of an hour?

But when I turned to face him, there was only softness in his features. "So, I guess that proves it. You're better at a child's game then I am."

"Oh please, I'm sure I could wipe the floor with you in anything," I challenged back, but my focus was still locked on where our bodies were touching.

"Well, I know how to quit when I'm ahead or just holding on to a scrap of pride." Ryder cleared his throat, almost seeing a little uncomfortable for a moment. I had gotten used to the way his knee bounced beside me through all of the races, but it sped up now. "You did say we could talk about serious things after you have proven yourself. And I would say my ego can't take much more of a beating."

Immediately, I surveyed my surroundings. Had I left out anything else that would damn me to another conversation I couldn't get around? Had I said or done something wrong? I knew my personality wasn't for everyone, but surely, he had already seen bits of me and he had returned of his own will. It couldn't end because he lost some races. And if it was the end, wouldn't he just fade instead of confronting the issue?

"Yeah, sure," I blurted, forcing a grin.

The casual, careless smirks I had grown used to and the sparkling eyes that I found mesmerizing were now tense. "I'm sorry if this is a little forward," he began. "I'm just a really big believer in honesty. So, I'm just going to be blunt for a little bit. I just want to make sure that you don't currently have a partner, that I'm not stepping on anyone's toes by being here or spending time with you. The last thing I want is to damage a relationship I don't even know about."

"No, no, of course not. I've been single for—" I cut myself off. He didn't need to know that. "I'm not seeing anyone."

"Okay." His fingers absently fiddled with the buttons on the controller that was dwarfed by his hands. I didn't know if it was butterflies or knots in my stomach. "Are you open to a relationship?"

"Yes." It came out too eager, too fast. If he didn't know that I was entirely captured by his laughter and demeanor, he certainly knew now. Some part of me pleaded to change the answer. I couldn't do this. I couldn't handle this now. I had other responsibilities. I needed to be engaged and clear-headed for the time being, not swayed by fancy cheeses and figs. I didn't care. "Are you implying that you would like to be in a relationship with me?"

Now Ryder had relaxed back against my couch. Humor danced over his features, or maybe it was something closer to satisfaction. I couldn't tell, but either way, it warmed the cavity in my chest. "We don't have to label it right now, but I would love to see where this goes."

And just like that, the handsome distraction became my boyfriend...Kind of.

~~~Question of the Day~~~

What is your favorite joke?