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Turning eighteen wasn’t as exciting as I’d thought it would be when I was a kid, but some pretty cool stuff happened Iover what had happened last night Blake called to chat, and I received a shiny new laptop already set up with everything installed

Before I did anything else, I logged into e chunk ofreturned Moh I spent the rest of the day traveling a great distance with Mom to meet Will at the nearest Olive Garden

Will was the touchy, feely sort

I wasn’t sure how to feel Not once did he take his hand offand handsome, but it was just weird to see her with another dude Weirder than I’d thought it would be But he did give ift card to the local bookstore Bonus points there

The customary ice-cream cake was different this year Will joined us at ho the knife from Mom "If you run it under hot water, it’s easier to use"

Mom beamed up at him like he’d just discovered the cure for cancer They chatted while I sat at the table, trying not to roll my eyes

Will placed a slice in front of lad you’re completely recovered from the flu No one wants to be sick on their birthday"

"I second that," Mom said

She didn’t take her eyes off hiet ready for her shift in Winchester Will re off the last of his cake while the silence between us grew to an aard level of epic proportions

"Have you been enjoying your birthday so far?" he asked, dangling the fork froers

I sed the last of the crunchy part, which was the only section of the ice-cream cake I’d eat "Yeah, it’s been really nice"

Will picked up his glass, tipping it toward me "Well, let’s toast toit off his He s here to share them with you and yourhere a year frolass down and bit my lip Part of me wanted to be happy for Mo Dad

Will cleared his throat, inclining his head to the side as he watched me Amusement flickered in his eyes that were so pale, they were alray like mine "I know you probably don’t like the sound of that Kellie told me how close you were to your father I can understand your reluctance to having me around"

"I’m not reluctant to the idea," I said honestly "It’s just different"

"Different isn’t bad Neither is change" He took a drink, glancing toward the door "Your ht that from the ht you were attacked that things went frolad I could be there for her" He paused, his sood can co horrible"

My brows furrowed "Yeah…that is strange"

His s his totally weird atteht up to theup her tiot into separate cars Gross

With the sun setting outside, I wrote a quick review for Monday and then a longer one for Tuesday The longer one was because I couldn’t stop gushing I think I had a new book boyfriend and his name was Tod Yu stations on the TV that played onlyon a channel that offered hits froh I couldn’t hear hts There was laundry that needed to be done and a kitchen that could use a good scrubbing It was too late to get the dead plants out of the flower bed Gardening was sohts, but autued into a pair of comfy sleep shorts, little reindeer-covered socks that reached -sleeve therh the house, I gathered all the clothes, sliding at times on the hardwood floors I du to one of the songs "In touch with the ground I’m on the hunt I’m after you"

I scooted out of the laundry roo around my head like one of the hot pink puppets from the movie Labyrinth "A scent and a sound, I’ on a line, it’s discord and rhy inside, and I’ry like the--" Warmth spread down my neck

"It’s actually, ’I howl and I whine I’m after you,’ and not blah or whatever"

Startled by the deep voice, I shrieked and whipped around My foot slipped on a section of well-cleaned wood and asped, clutchinga heart attack"

"And I think you broke your butt" Laughter filled Daemon’s voice

I re to catch my breath "What the hell? Do you just walk into people’s houses?"

"And listen to girls absolutely destroy a song in a matter of seconds? Well, yes, I make a habit out of it Actually, I knocked several ti, and your door was unlocked" He shrugged "So I just let"Oh, man, maybe I did break my butt"

"I hope not I’m kind of partial to your butt" He flashed a smile "Your face is pretty red You sure you didn’t sroaned "I hate you"

"Nah, I don’t think you do" His gaze went over me, down to my toes His brows inched up "Nice socks"