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Despite herself, Haven blushed at that

They chatted casually as they walked--about the cat, about school, even about the weather It took nearly a half hour for theh she usually made the walk in half that ti," Haven said, stopping in front of her brownstone when they arrived

"I didn’t"Didn’t have much else to do"

"What about work? Didn’t they expect you back?"

"I o as I please"

She gazed at hienuinely sounded like he didn’t mind "You know, you’re really nice Not many people would’ve done what you did"

"Did it hed "Maybe"

"I can tell," he said, s "You actually let me walk you home"

Haven stared at him with surprise It hadn’t struck her until that moment As many times as she had refused, she finally let hi to ask

Before Haven could respond, the front door of the brownstone flung open and Kelsey appeared, talking loudly into her cell phone She looked at the two of the up with surprise, before her attention went back to her call Her gaze darted past the "You seeup and squealed "Hey, guys! What are you up to?"

Haven held the cat up "I found this, so Gavin ith ance oozed from his voice Haven rolled her eyes at him as Kelsey cooed and petted the tiny anih"

Kelsey’s attention switched fro? No way! I have so to have a few drinks and hang out You should totally join us Both of you"

Haven shook her head, but Gavin’s srew infinitely "Really?"

"Yes, really," Kelsey said "It’ll be fun"

Kelsey’s friends appeared then, a few Haven vaguely recognized, but none she really knew They were sociable, while Haven preferred to keep to herself They disappeared inside, gathering in the second floor apart his eyebrows, Gavin stared at her questioningly, awaiting a reaction "Are you going to invite ed slowly "Kelsey already invited you"

"But I didn’t co in unless you invite me"

Haven considered that, unsure of how to respond It had been a long day and she really wanted to take a bath and maybe read a book, but when the music started upstairs, so loud it rattled the s, Haven knew she wouldn’t be getting any peace anyway

"Fine" Go with the flow, she told herself Live a little "Let’s go upstairs"

"What kind of invitation is that?"

"The only kind you’re getting"

Gavin laughed, holding open the front door politely and pressing his hand gently against her back Bypassing her apartment, she headed up the stairs, acutely aware of Gavin’s eyes on her as he walked behind her It made her skin prickle as her stomach churned from nerves

Kelsey’s apartment, identical to the one belohen stripped down to its core, looked like an entirely different world Everything was brand-new and bright, expensive furniture filling every rooerly took a seat in the first spot she came across, a tan leather chair ide, plush arms She kicked her shoes off and tucked her feet under her, protectively holding the sleeping kitten in her lap, while Gavin casually positioned himself on the arm of her chair

It took only seconds before Kelsey thrust drinks at the two of them Haven took the spiked leht yellow alcohol with aversion "Yeah, I can’t drink this shit," he mumbled to himself

"I’ across the room "The kitchen’s over there You can help yourself Kelsey won’tdown at her "Are you going to drink it?"

"I guess," she said "I ht as well"

Gavin strolled away, stealthily handing the bottle back to Kelsey as he made his way to her kitchen Haven watched hi a moroup Poised and confident, he spoke to strangers as if they were friends

Envy pecked at her, sudden and unexpected Was it jealousy that he was sharing himself with others, or jealousy at the way he seeht it was the latter, but the sheer possibility that she ht yearn to keep him to herself filled her with uneasiness

Gavin returned with a red plastic cup and retook his spot on the arm of her chair He took a sip of his drink and smiled "Better"

"What is it?" she asked curiously, peeking into his cup "Beer?"

"Mountain Dew"

Haven took a sip of hers, puckering her lips "You don’t drink?"