There was a deeper meaning to his words that she wasn't privy to, but she knew it wasn't her place to ask directly. Even as she told herself this her head tilted slightly, a single brow arching in a question that her lips wouldn't utter. "I would have to agree."

The year had already been eventful enough and Dionisia hadn't even allowed Ari a chance to speak about that night in private. She'd shifted her routine, even to the point of discomfort, to ensure Ari was not a part of it. She didn't think anything would change if they spoke. If anything he might anger her further by trying to justify his lies, or worse—he'd anger her by validating her feelings to the point where she felt guilty holding onto her anger. She wanted to feel angry. She wanted to feel hurt. She'd never felt allowed to feel anything but grateful towards him, and she was going to milk it for as long as she could. As long as she could without it hurting Elliott.

She looked down at the produce in her basket, and then back at Ben, her bottom lip pinned between her teeth. It was likely imprudent to ask him, but it was probably wise to. "You don't happen to have any... allergies, do you?"

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