The next morning, Ethan stands in the door to his bedroom.
He watches as the sun glows across her face.
Avery’s eyes flutter open, meeting his.
Avery
I fell asleep in your bed.
Avery
Really. I’m sorry. I’ve been sleeping in my car so long, I guess I just—
Ethan
What are you apologizing for, exactly?
Ethan
No. I crashed on the couch for a bit.
Silence stretches out as sunshine fills the room.
Avery
So…should we get back to work?
Ethan
We finished the prep work for the painters. That’s enough.
Ethan
You can help me pick out some light fixtures later, if you want.
Ethan
But we should eat breakfast first.
Avery sits up in Ethan’s bed and pulls the blankets up around her chest.
Avery
Seriously, though. I’m sorry.
Ethan
What are you actually apologizing for?
Avery
For throwing all this at your feet.
Avery
I’m a mess. You didn’t ask for this.
Avery
I just…it’s a lot of baggage.
Ethan walks to the foot of the bed and sits down.
Ethan
You didn’t ask for any of this either.
Avery
It’s different. I’m the idiot who fell for Luke. I’m the—
Ethan
Some asshole manipulated and abused you.
Ethan
That is not your fault, and you don’t owe me an apology.
Avery’s lip trembles, but she pulls it together.
Avery
What do we do now? Like, after breakfast and light fixtures.
Avery
Where does this leave us?
Ethan
That’s up to you. You’re safe here.
Ethan
You can stay as long as you want.
Avery
Why are you being so nice to me?
Ethan
Because like I said yesterday. I know what it’s like to be lonely. And it fucking sucks.
Three hours later, Ethan and Avery are at the hardware store.
Ethan points out a fixture he’s considering for the bar.
Avery
You have got to be kidding me.
Avery
That belongs in a retirement home.
Ethan
What’s wrong with it?
Avery
It’s ugly as hell, for starters.
Ethan laughs, and Avery whirls around, staring at him.
Avery
You should do that more often.
Ethan
Do what? Have ugly taste in light fixtures?
Avery
Laugh. Smile. Anything but sulk.
Ethan
I’ll keep that in mind.
Avery
What about that one? It’s kind of pretty.
Avery
It’s modern, without being obnoxious.
Ethan
That one is hideous. It looks like it’s from the Starship Enterprise.
This time it’s Avery’s turn to burst out laughing.
Ethan
You know, you should do that more often yourself.
Avery
Okay FINE, how about that one? A little bit of meet in the middle?
Ethan
That’s not bad. And then we can do those sconces with it.
He points down the aisle, to another section.
But as she turns toward the lights, he sees someone standing dead center at the end of the aisle.
With his phone out. Taking a picture of the two of them.
Avery crouches down, looking at a box on the bottom shelf.
She doesn’t notice the man with the camera.
The stranger glances up and meets Ethan’s eyes.
Then he spins around and leaves the aisle.
