Ren says, glancing over at me from the driver’s seat. He pulls out of the school parking lot and heads towards the hardware store. We get to leave early, and I’m grateful it will give me more time to work before I need to get home. “Okay.” I push a lock of hair behind my ear. I knew his parents owned the hardware store, but I hadn’t really thought about meeting them. “She’s supposed to work at the hospital today, but knowing my mom she won’t be able to help herself and she’ll show up tonight to see you.” He gives me a half-smile, like you know how moms are. “Because she wants to meet the new girl at the hardware store, or because—” “’Cause you're mine,” he says, cutting me off. I glance over at him again. His eyes are on me while we sit at a red light. “Like boyfriend and girlfriend?” I ask. That’s what it’s called, right? I haven’t had a boyfriend since the fourth grade, and it only lasted through one recess and ended because I tagged him out in kickball.
