Al was trying to figure out just which throw pillows to put out for Athena. She liked the Halloween pillows but she liked the black one with the roses too. That’s part of why he’d worn charcoal jeans with a rose on each back pocket. He had picked a perfect playlist and set the diffuser with a pine scent and just a hint of rosemary. Everything had to be ready before she got here with tea for her on the stove. He was finally gonna tell her and he couldn’t afford to screw it up. There was their knock on the door. The knock they used just for each other.

“Come in!” Al mumbled a little something to himself as Athena walked in.

“Hey- what’s going on?”

“Not much really. Just got some tea going and I set the diffuser.”

“Are we making the taco stuff soon?”

“I hope so? Did you bring the hot sauce?”

“Of course” She smiled and pulled out the homemade hot sauce in a jar from her bag.

“So the mixed ground meat is in the fridge”