Honeyed Pasture trifolium fragiferum

When she said her name, she was pretty sure she saw a mortified look on his face, and she smiled. You're welcome to call me Ty, she said after he'd introduced himself as Makan. His voice was gravely, but she didn't get the vibe that he was going to do any harm.

In so many words, he offered her a few options where she could find companionship, and she took a breath. It was true that she yearned for it, but settling down wasn't really at the top of her list right now. Still, window shopping wasn't all that bad, and she didn't have to commit to anything right away.

You live there? In the woods? Or the spine? she asked.