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“That’s really very sweet Please thank him for me”

“His name is Rafe And he’ll appreciate the sentiment”

Davian disappeared for a few seconds and canon and two glasses After arranging everything, he poured the wine

Sliding into a chair opposite her, he lifted his glass and said, “A toast to the season”

She s Sheena earlier if denized holidays”

“Not so ht be important to you”

Jade shook her head “There’s hardly a point to it Like my birthday, holidays are meant to be shared with family”

He regarded her curiously “But your friends are your family, Jade”

She thought of the multitude of dinner and party offers she’d received over the years for the major holidays None of which she’d accepted She’d always preferred to be alone or work at the tavern It didn’t seeood would it do, anyway?

Except… Davian ument

“I suppose I’ve been narrow-minded,” she admitted “Selfish, even Perhaps a tiny bit martyr-ish as well” She picked at her food It s suddenly weighed heavy on her nore any sort of tradition I’d shared with my parents, but the fact is, I’ve only isolatedthis”

She paused and inhaled the rich scent of an apple cider, butter and sugar coating on the ha, and took in the entire inti at the table with her, enjoying his wine A long-forgotten sense of belonging, Sheena’s earlier senti a part of a fah Jade

Tears unexpectedly prickled her eyes “I have to confess I’ve made my life miserable”

“You can’t place all the blame at your feet”

“My parents’ deaths were tragic, yes But people die, Davian Even Michael’s parents have passed Lisette’s husband Jinx Many others I’ve known in h I withdraw a little more into myself” She found this ironic “I’m the one who insisted death is part of the hu to obsess over because it’s a natural progression in life And yet…”