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‘I have friends’ None that I trust ‘I just don’t have a best one’ Not any more

‘How do you like to spend your spare time?’

Aiesha made sure she didn’t have spare time Any breaks she took were packed with activity Spare tihosts fro she had learned as a child Hypervigilance was the setting her brain was ja alert to exploitation, always on guard against attack Nope, it didn’t et to ask you some questions?’ she said

‘Not until I’ve asked mine’

‘That’s not fair’ She threw in a pout for gooda head start’

He sain as he pushed her botto a drawer ‘Answer the question’

Aiesha’s lip tingled where he’d touched it Tingled and burned Ached ‘I hang out’

‘Hang out where?’

She gave a negligent shrug ‘The gym The pool The barre’

His brows met over his nose ‘The bar?’

Aiesha rolled her eyes ‘Not that sort of bar I do a ballet class It’s really good for posture and balance’

His frown hadn’t quite gone away but it wasn’t one of disapproval, ue Maybe even a little respect ‘Where’d you go on your last holiday?’

‘San Diego’

‘Who’d you go with?’

She hesitated for a brief second ‘II went alone It’s a pain having to travel with other people They alant to see stuff you aren’t interested in I like being able to do what I hen I want’