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"So you put soet an artistic tat of a dragon on my back or whatever? So unfair" He shakes his head, his dirty blond hair getting in his eyes, and I want to smack him

And I also want to draw him into my arms and ask where did the sweet, sio run away to? Because he sure as hell isn’t around here anymore

"It’s different" I turn away fro it in uy, anyway? You never did tell me"

"He’s no one" The words are heavy as they fall fro for the briefest, most intense moment of my life

"He’s not no one He broke your heart" Venom fills Owen’s voice "I ever find out who he is, I’ll kick his ass"

I smile because I can’t help it His defense of me is…awesoot

I slip outside ofonthe inside of our dingy apart If his house is half as gorgeous as his restaurant, then it has to be a

The second I step off the stairs, he’s there in a sleek black Mercedes, the engine purring, the car so new it doesn’t have plates yet I take a step back when he opens the door and cli s the passenger side door for e awaits"

I hesitate Is this ainto his car with him? I’ht be putting myself in He’s a flirt but I notice he flirts with pretty much everyone orks for him--and the customers He never crosses a line, he’s always polite and knohen to step back if need be

But a him to pick me up for work? He just happens to be near et me? I don’t believe it

Not for a second

"Did you come here specifically to pick me up?" I ask him the minute he climbs back into the car and slams the door

He turns to look at me, our faces awfully close The car is nice but s is rather intine and leather and I wonder for a quick uy

I realize just as quickly that I can’t My heart is still tied up in knots over sohtforward, aren’t you?" Colin asks, his eyes glea out a bunch of lies, right?" I arch a brow

Laughing, he shakes his head as he puts the car into gear "Right I really was in the neighborhood, Fable And I remembered you lived around here so that’s why I texted you I know you don’t always have access to a car"

I’ve worked at his restaurant for three shifts and he already knows all this inforood boss or a creeper? "I hadlot and onto the road, his hand draped casually over the steering wheel, his other ar on the center console There’s an easiness to hi appear like he could get whatever he wants out of life and he deserves every bit of it too

I envy him that It’s a confidence I could never hope for

"Want me to take you back so you can drive it?" There’s a his deep voice He h This is stupid What are we doing? "I won’t have a ride hoive you a ride"

I don’t bother answering hi at my cuticles as he drives, both of us silent My hands are dry, irls I ho have perfect manicures and pedicures and I literally look like the still slightly ragged Cinderella who’s been finally pulled out of the base, beautiful princesses I ht shine but rub h relatively easy

I feel…less than when I’m at my new job And I don’t like that

"Nasty habit," Colin says, breaking the thickening silence "You should go get your nails done"

Okay, that irritates the crap out of me His assumptions are rude "I can’t afford it"

"I’ll pay for it"

"Hell, no," I practically snarl His offer irritates nores o see a hairstylist I’ll pay for that too There’s too ed"

The nerve This guy is such an asshole Why did I agree to work for hiet the best of me, I just know it It’s led to two really stupid decisions already "Who are you? The fashion police?"

"No, but I’m your boss and at The District we have certain criteria that we need to etting"

"I saw your potential," he said softly "Do you, Fable? Do you see it?"

I couldn’t answer him Because the truth wasn’t what he wanted to hear

No

Drew

I’hter load after my supreain? I’ll have toa few extra courses, but I don’t care Where else would I go?

Not home, that’s for damn sure

At least while I’et about my dad and Adele and what she told me I haven’t spoken to her since the last ti I barely talk towithwith him too, and I don’t push either What’s the point? Do I really want to find out what’s wrong?

No