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I groaned He was all of those things But so more

"You need to ask Naalyehe about his family," she said, and strode off with her refilled drinks

When the evening turned to night and all the custoone home, I went to the kitchen

"Naalyehe?" He looked at me "Yana says you know the O’Connell family She said I should ask you about thean chopping All right Guess he wasn’t big on gossip I turned toward the dining rooMaybewild?

"Never be out past dark with Bridger O’Connell," he said again Nope My i?

Totally confused, I went back to the dining roouess who’s here," Yana said, voice full of sarcas room "Speak of the devil and he appears" She nodded toward theA big black SUV was parked out front with its parking lights on

My heart thrummed beneath my ribs and I wasn’t sure if it was the effect of Naalyehe’s warning or Bridger’s appearance

"I’ll finish up--you go on," she said "Don’t want to keep O’Connell waiting But don’t say I didn’t warn you"

I crossedin er peered at me from the dark car interior His car setting in?" he asked And s What harer’s ser door "Get in"

I glanced over er, and cliht?" he asked, putting the car into drive

"No Why?"

"He’s Navajo Traditional Navajo He’s got superstitions about the dark"

That’s not the only thing he’s got superstitions about "How do you know?" I asked

"He’s my dad’s third cousin"

"Really?" That bit of infobothering you?" Bridger asked

"Um … yeah If you’re Navajo, you’re not very tan" I lied I couldn’t bring myself to tell him what Naalyehe had said "At least not cohed "I’lish But believe randpa …"

His words lostI pressed my face to theAat Bridger’s car with eyes that glowed like an anier eased the car forward I squeezed my eyes shut and a warie, what’s wrong?"

"Did you see that guy?" My voice treer slowed the car

"No! Don’t stop!" I peered out theagain, but the sideas e the muscles in uy standing over there And his eyes glowed"

"His eyes glowed?"

"Yeah Like an aniined it"

"Gee Thanks for the vote of confidence"

He took his hand from my neck, trailed it down ers intertwined withaway--hts do you work this week? I’ll pick you up"

"Wednesday and Saturday, but Saturday I get off early for graduation"

"What are you doing after graduation? Wanna hang out?"