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When we neared my place, all humor and playfulness evaporated from my system, replaced by the anxiety from earlier He turned to me and s, putting the ehts on "I can park I’, I’ll just be aout I didn’t want to risk hio fro"

He see"

As I scaled the wooden steps ofoverwary of dark corners I breathed a sigh of relief when I reached my door without incidence When I entered the apart television, a box of tissues next to her

"Brought you soe juice and Dayquil

"Thanks, you’re the best" Her voice was nasally and she blew into a tissue to clear her nose

"Do you have the flu? Should I take you the doctor?" I put the back of my hand up to her forehead to check her temperature

"Nah, I think it’s only a cold I just need to keep blowing my nose every few minutes"

"Glad to hear it’s not serious"

She looked at my shoes which I hadn’t taken off like I nor so on her "Riley, I’reide "Oh, congratulations! I’ shell"

"About thatI need to tell you soave me her undivided attention "Don’t open the door for anyone Especially if it’s the guy who came by earlier Whatever you do, don’t let him inside"

Her brows furrowed "Who is he? Should I be worried?"

"He was someone I dated before I moved here Don’t worry, he only cares aboutto you I’ll tell you more about it some other time But keep your mace handy just in case"

"Whoa, whoa" Her handsmotions in front of her face "You can’t just say ‘keep youron? Do we need to call the cops?"

I shook my head "We can’t call the police It’s co details that had haunted me for the past two years, I briefly told her about Marty and how he hurt me Hoas the reason I moved from Boston to NYC in the first place I didn’t have the time or desire to elaborate on sordid details, but she deserved some sort of explanation

She looked at me with concern as if I was the sick one When I didn’t explain further, she sighed and said, "Okay, Kristen You can tell me the rest later I’ll keep an eye out"

"Thanks for understanding, Riley"

"When are you cooodies"

She sniffled "All right, stay safe"

"I will"

I went to ed out of ht blouse I packed an extra set of clothes and , I waved to Riley and left the apart to Vincent’s Caht?" He sounded as concerned about Riley as I was "I can drive her to the hospital"

"I appreciate the thought, but she just needs sleep and vitamin C"

"You’re not sick are you?"

"I don’t think so"