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I go to slam the door in his face but he shoves a hand out and stops me His eyes are intense as he staresserious?" I scream "You’ve not spoken to me, and when you have it’s been two letters or less I didn’t even know ‘K’ was considered a response until you threw it at h his hair and looks at reen eyes

"Can I come in?"

"No"

"Shit, Avery Just letup close to him, "no"

He shoves the door wider and steps in "It wasn’t an option"

"You can’t just come intoup and down, barking furiously at him He stares at her, raises his brows and then looks back toon and I needed to deal with the to avoid you, Avery"

"You’re such a liar," I say, slas between Lena and I haven’t beengreat I’ to fix them and it’s not been easy My head is in the clouds half the ti I just can’t see hiround Dammit, I’m too soft

"I’

"I’ive him a weak smile "I’m sorry I yelled at you, Nate It’s always a touchy day for me"

He shakes his head "No worries, I understand"

I force a s in silence for a long moment, "this is aard"

He stares atI can’t help it; I do too He steps forward and wraps his arthe combined scent of him and sweat--which, believe me, isn’t a bad scent He runs his hand down my hair and I realize, after a second, that this feels far too co back, "do you want a drink?"

He’s got the eyes again The lusty, soulful eyes thatat ht down tos inside a deep, black hole where they can never coain He’s married He’s married He’s married He’s married

"Avery!"

I hear Jacob’s voice and I turn just as he swings my front door open and steps inside with my father behind him I’m shocked I haven’t seen much of my father in my home; it’s a very rare when occasion he visits My father’s eyes turn to Nate and harden So do Jacob’s

"What’s he doing here?" Jacob asks

"Nate was just jogging past He stopped in to say hello"

Nate stares at me, and then turns and stares atto keep my voice steady, "this is Nathaniel Alexander"

"I knoho he is,"match--Nate wins When they’re done, Nate turns to me and walks over In front of both my father and Jacob, he wraps his arms around me, then, much to my horror, he presses a kiss toand one and I’ with my mouth wide open