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“On a whole other subject,” Ava began, “have you picked what you’re wearing for your date tomorrow?”

Glad of the topic change, I replied, “No, not yet” Honestly, I hadn’t thought much about it I wanted to be excited Coop, a personal assistant to one of the legion’s coht not make my heart leap or pound, but I doubted he’d stomp all over it either

“You knoas stunned when you told me that Coop asked you out I could tell he wanted to, but I didn’t think he’d actually do it”

“Why not?”

“Well he’s just so unassu, and you’re kind of scary”

I almost drew my head back “What?”

“Not in a bad way You have this innate, unshakable self-confidence that’s as hot as it is inti you do—how you have fun, how you fight, how you protect, how devoted a friend you are And you’re not easily iuys flounder around you So hearing that shy little Coop made a play took me by surprise”

I set my hands on my hips “I don’t think I’m scary I’m very nice”

“Oh, you’re both Although you can be sweet as honey, your bark is not worse than your bite” Ava paused at the sound of a knock on the front door “Saleet it,” she said

The guy was in the living area with soe, and Max Only Cassie and Ryder hadn’t yet arrived

I heard footfalls, door hinges creak, and then Cassie’s cheerful voice She spent ainto the kitchen, where she then gave both

Cassie’s brow furrowed as she counted the place?”

And then came another knock at the door My stomach did a slow roll

“Ooh, that’ll be Ryder,” said Ava “Now that we’re all here, I can dish the food out”

Cassie looked atup “Ryder?”

I nodded, feigning casual My friend gave me a look that said she wasn’t fooled

Cassie turned to Ava “I thought Salem didn’t like him”