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“You’d really feel that way if I got spooked and ran?” he inquires, doubt clouding his eyes

“How could I not?” I turnin a beautiful ro one of the most honest conversations I’ve ever had inhonest with s”

Cage’s eyes sith an e

“This is a risk,” I continue “I’m well aware of what the pitfalls are—and the potential rewards I think I’ mood”

Cage laughs, tipping his head back in amusement because we had spent a few hours in Rivers Casino yesterday gru

“I’amble, too,” he says He puts his arenda this week?”

“I have to spend two nights this week at one of the shelters” I had previously told Cage I volunteered a few times a month at some of the various shelters I ith It lets rounded and aware of just what these woh to escape It fulfills me

“I’ll coordinate the evenings I need to ith your nights,” he replies “Although I s I’ll find out tomorrow”

“It’s a plan,” I murmur, but part ofa plausible out with potential work obligations if he gets spooked in some way

I certainly hope not, because I like this guy enough to know I’eI knock on the apartht now It’s one of her shelter nights, and I used the opportunity to accept a dinner invitation from another woman

But not just any woman

When Anna opens the door, I hold up the six-pack of beer in one hand and a pink teddy bear in the other She smiles, but my attention quickly e of where the living room and kitchen connect

“There’sas I shove the beer at Anna and hter, Avery