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I froze at his com steps toward ht in front of aze "It’s a date, Ada is supposed to be involved"

"Not when you’re a fifteen year old girl Not when you’re you" I flinched back, taking that as an insult and Adarimaced "Els, I didn’t irl"

"Look, Braden gave o on the phone"

"Ellie," Adaave me a look that clearly said "shut up" "You’re special You deserve a boy who understands that, and a boy who understands that won’t try any funny business tonight, okay?"

"Funny business?" I raised my eyebrows at him "I’m pretty sure Sam won’t try any funny business"

"Els, you’re a roe… they’re not ro only And the little swine isn’t getting it froestion I was soirl, I brushed past hi soru down the stairs "I preferred you when you ee and cute and didn’t talk back"

I grunted at that and then inhaled on said grunt, choking, at the sound of the doorbell

"I’ll get that," Adas in a star- shape, blocking his passage

Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough li a glower the likes I’d never seen before

Uh oh

So perhaps Clark wasn’t as cool aboutafter all

"Da down the last few steps as Braden ca room with a bottle of beer in hand Eyes wide at his sudden appearance and the darkening of his expression when he saw ainst Clark’s back as he finished greeting ht here," Clark said as I stularing and inti ht of hih lanky and sliht brown hair that seemed to have a life of its own He was fairl who got to run her fingers through that hair I was hoping after tonight that girl would beClark warily and then threw a direat"

"She does not" Braden suddenly appeared behind me and Clark, and I closedAda to fry Sam’s arse with the power of their eyeballs "She looks fifteen You remember that"

Oh God Kill me Kill me now

"If you touch her, I’llPerrowled

When I dared to open my eyes, my heart in my throat, it was to find Sah they were Viking marauders come to cut off his head

"What is all this?" Muh me "Get away from the door" Adam and Braden were jerked backwards, followed by Clark, untilalone Tall and y, el

"Thank you," I breathed gratefully

She took one look at my expression and threw a dirty look over her shoulder at the retreating men It appeased me somewhat to know that when I left on ue-lashing that would make their threats to Sam seem like child’s play

When she turned back she held a hand out to my date "Elodie Nichols, it’s lovely to meet you, Sam"

"You too, Mrs Nichols," Sam replied quietly, clearly not recovered

"Well, I’ll let you two get on" Her eyes glistened as she tucked my hair behind reat ti Be back before eleven"

"Thanks Muot your phone?"

I nodded and quickly stepped out onto the front stoop, gently pressing Sam toward the street He didn’t say a word as alked away, heading for the bus stop

"Just ignore theavesoon We better hurry"

I sla to ry tears that were deter?" Mu a , I moped down the hall and entered the room only to draw to a surprised halt

It was ten-thirty and Braden and Adam were still here

Mum and Clark were in their armchairs, Braden and Ada at the television but at le" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>