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"It’s fine," she says, reaching for the napkin "I can get it"

I hand her the napkin and reach for the bandage It’s aardly quiet as I fidget with the wrapper For some reason, her presence makes the house seem eerily empty and quiet I never notice the silence when I’ht now is unco to say to fill the void

"So, ere you doing outside in your pajauys still unloading?"

She shakes her head and tosses the napkin into the trash can "Coffee," she says,person" I’ that’s the case She seems sort of pissy I’d like to blame it on her lack of caffeine, rather than on indifference toward e on her shoulder I briefly pause before touching her and take in a silent breath, preparing for the rush I seee in place and pat it softly, securing the edges with pressure froertips Her skin prickles and she wraps her ar her forearood

"There," I say, giving it one last, unnecessary pat "Good as new"

She clears her throat "Thanks," she says, standing up "And I aet ot coffee

I quickly walk over to the counter where the rerab a cup out of the cabinet and fill it up for her, then set it on the counter in front of her "You want creaar?"

She shakes her head and smiles at me "Black is fine Thanks," she says I lean across the bar and watch as she brings the coffee to her lips She blows softly into the cup before pressing her lips to the bri her eyes off mine

I’ve never wanted to be a coffee cup so bad in o to work? I could stay here and watch her drink coffee all day She’s looking right atat her so hten back up and look down atin the car and I’ve got to get to work I’ll walk you back You can keep the cup"

She looks down at the cup and reads it I didn’t even notice I gave her ers across the letters and smiles "I’ll be okay," she says as she stands to leave "I think I’ve got the whole walking erect thing do" She walks through the living roo across the back of rab it

"Layken, take this It’s cold out there" She tries to refuse but I shake my head and make her take my jacket If she takes the jacket, she’ll eventually have to bring it back, which is exactly what I’ will happen She smiles and pulls my jacket over her shoulders, then she heads across the street

When I reach my car I turn to watch her ulfed by my jacket over her pajamas Who knew pajamas and Darth Vader house shoes could be so damn sexy?

"Layken!" I yell She turns around just before she reaches her front door "May the force be with you!" I laugh and hop in the car before she can say anything

"What took you so long? I’," Caulder says

"Sorry," I say "Layken hurt herself" I back the car up and pull out onto the street

"What happened?" he asks

"She tried to walk on the frozen concrete in Darth Vader house shoes She busted it and cut herself"

Caulder giggles "She has Darth Vader house shoes?"

I sht?"

3

the honey next to ht I was cute, huh?"

"No, I didn’t think you were cute I thought you were absolutely beautiful," I correct her I brush the hair out of her face and she leans into my hand and kisses my palm "What did you think about me?" I ask

She smiles "I tried not to I was attracted to you, but I had so an all of fiveus back together, though Every minute I was around you, I just fell harder and harder in crush with you"

"In crush?" I laugh

She grins "I was so in crush with you, Will Especially after you helped rocery store"

"I’d have to say ere both in crush after that trip"

crush

I ATTEMPT TO go over my lesson plans for the next week but I can’t even concentrate I try to pinpoint exactly what it is about her that coure it out After the incident with the bandage this hstupid so this hold she has on me would break It’s weird

I’ve never been so consuht of soht now, but so I want