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Confusion battled inside her, but Violet just stared over Jay’s shoulder, her eyes never leaving Rafe

She didn’t kno she felt about her teaetting to know Sara and Krystal and Sa Dr Lee had done to help herEven Gemma, as bitchy as she was, deserved a break, Violet supposed She’d had a rough life, with no one to support and believe in her Violet ht not particularly like her, but she didn’t exactly hate her either

And then there was Rafe

Rafe, as standing here now She’d probably never be able to stay away froht over the past few days, and she’d decided that she’d be safer--happier--if she steered clear of their unusual organization

Even if it meant she couldn’t use her ability to help anyone For now, at least, she needed to concentrate on taking care of herself

"Talk to him," Jay finally said "He caed, the only answer she seeive, and then nodded She ers froht heher, an aard embrace she’d endure, because that’s what people seemed to do in a situation like this Her uncle and her parents had Even the sheriff, who she’d never met before, had wrapped his ar-lost relation She understood, she supposed It was relief She’d felt it too

But Rafe, of course, had to be different

"Dammit, V, I tried to call you I tried to warn you," he ad as if it were all her fault He started to close the gap, his handuncertainly toward hers

Violet shoved her hands in the pockets of her hoodie, the one her parents had bought her from a bait shop in the lakeside townthe hoodie she’d be burning later so she wouldn’t be reminded of her ordeal with Caine She didn’t want Rafe to touch her; she couldn’t risk letting his skin brush against hers

He followed her lead and tucked his hands in the back pockets of his jeans His casual stance belied the tur off hied

"You don’t have to say anything" He watched her intently, his blue eyes so to tell you how she knehere you were Plus, shethe spirit of Betty Crocker lately She’s been baking cookies and pies The kitchen at the Center’s been like a bakery"