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“Would you like so to eat or drink?”

She shakes her head “No, thank you”

She looks tired and her whole body sags, like a thousand-ton weight rests on her shoulders My anger toward Theo strengthens

I grab her bag off the couch and gesture toward the hallway “You’ll be in the room I keep for Aria when she’s over You look exhausted Why don’t you rest for a while?”

She nods, then follows me down the hallway to the sht purple bedspread I drop her bag on the end and turn around Jules is at the side of the bed, gently running her fingers along the blanket, a soft s her look even more beautiful

“This is the second bed I’ve slept in that belongs to Aria”

I don’t knohy that knowledge pleases me, but it does I assu Anytiht crossed er coursed through my body

“She won’t mind,” I inform her

“I know She’s such a sweet girl”

I walk over, then before I can think better of it, I bend and place a kiss on the top of her head She stiffens slightly, but doesn’t try to pull away

Stepping back, I look down at her

“Get soo make a phone call to my parents”

She nods, but then bites her lip in worry “Do you… do you think they’ll hate me?”

I tuck a piece of hair behind her ear, needing to touch her, even if just briefly

“I don’t plan to tell them the details yet I just want to warn them in case Theo stops by And no, they won’t hate you They’ll be shocked and angry and hurt on your behalf, but they won’t hate you”