Chapter 35: Sofia

A wheel on the shopping cart squeaks as I roll down the cereal aisle.

From beneath my lashes, I sneak a glance at Roman as he walks next to me. Memories of the last time we were in the grocery store together flit through my head. That was almost three weeks ago, and our relationship couldn't be more different.

I pluck a box of Honey Nut Cheerios from a shelf and hold it up. "We ran out this morning." I give it a little shake after a few beats of silence. "You like these, right?" Getting an answer out of him is like pulling teeth sometimes.

His lips lift into an expression that could almost pass for a smile. "Yes, I like them."

I drop the box into the cart and roll my eyes. "Was that so difficult?"

"Extremely."

I grab a small box of Grapenuts from the top shelf.

A month ago, I ate bowls of the crunchy cereal for dinner. I haven't done that since Roman began staying at the house. As I'm about to toss it in with the other groceries, I hesitate. Holding this box makes me realiz