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Chapter SevenWhitakerShe was a stranger a few hours ago, but noe sit at the table with a platter piled high with all the fixings, she feels like someone I’ve known for years

“Are you like this with everyone, putting people instantly at ease?” I ask as I butter a roll

Her eyebrows lift “Not at all I usually hide in the background I’m never front and center”

“Why? You see”

She picks up her fork, s the potatoes on her plate “My life for the last three years has been… coh school without any family and… I ended up in a bad situation”

“A bad boyfriend?”

She shakes her head “No, not really It was e for the roo”

“Did they hurt you?”

She laughs tightly “Not hurt But they weren’t exactly nice to me, and they had plans Plans that uys… they were shady Are shady Which is why I left”

“Hell, Cozy That’s… horrible So we couys? That isn’t right”

“Right or wrong never really factored into it, Whitaker” She takes a bite of her food, her eyes off in the distance

I hate that the night has turned so heavy so fast, but I’rateful she has opened up Cozy is in trouble, and I’ her here She needs to feel safe

“I know people, Cozy If someone is after you, I can stop them”

Her eyes groide “No, you can’t They are dangerous and they are upset with o cold, her body tenses with fear “Very upset with et away from them Forever”

“Okay,” I say, reaching for her hand “We can make that happen You’re okay now, Cozy You’ll be okay I promise”

Her fingers wrap around ood to me? We just met”