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Chapter 51

Leighton

It’s afternoon when I wake Even with the breeze blowing between my s, my apartment is hot

But the heat isn’t irritating The fa This place is home Its quirks and flaws are home too

A glass of ice water coolsmy pajamas

It’s way too hot for a run, but I need to clear my mind too badly to care

I change into ear, lace up my sneakers, fill my reusable water with a mix of ice and water

Then I slide my keys into the hidden pocket in my shorts, step outside, and take off

The sun beats down on , not oppressive

A breeze blows over my arms

The air cools as I pass Eleventh

But the view of the ocean crashing into the sand doesn’t offer the clarity it usually does It sendsinto Ryan’s lap and kissing hi

Maybe even enough to wait for him

I try to push hts away as I hit Ocean, turn, run back toward my apartment

Slowly, the dust in my brain settles