Chapter 22: Sunday Pancakes

Maxine made the announcement in Stefan's driveway, with Kenzie's overnight bag over her shoulder.

"I'm declaring graduation officially started," she said. "The diploma is paperwork."

"Maxine," I said.

"Kenzie and I are in the apartment with the door locked and the TV loud. You two are in the main house."

"We are not discussing this in the gravel."

"Coach, you've waited long enough," Maxine said, and went up the white stairs without looking back.

Stefan stood very still beside me.

"Your daughter," he said, "has no shame."

"She gets it from me."

I took his hand and walked him across the yard to his back door.

Inside, the kitchen was dark and smelled of coffee and vanilla.

I turned around in it and put my palms flat against his chest.

"One button at a time," I said. "I promised."

"I remember."

I started at his collar.

I undid the first button slowly, and the second, and I pressed my mouth against the skin I uncovered.

He breathed in through his teeth.

By the fourth button his hands were braced on the counter behind him, and he was looking at the ceiling.

"Winona."

"I told you I wouldn't be kind."

I slid the shirt off his shoulders and let it drop.

He was broad and warm and scarred on the left side, a long pale line above the hip, and I put my lips to every inch of it.

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