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It makes my whole heart fill ar — to feel like I ain

When Hartley offers to go across the street to the cafe to grab us soup for lunch, I tell himuch better here than I ever have”

With hi down the front counter and a display case of flashlights as a pair of wo me up and down They look a few years older, ht up to me with crossed arms

“So you’re Hartley’s latest conquest?” a dark-haired woman asks

“Excuse htens as I try to acclimate myself to her attitude

“Oh, it’s just Hartley has dated every single woman in town once,” the blonde says “Which ht, there is no reason to believe you will be staying here for long”

The dark-haired girl shrugs “Who knows, he’ll probably keep you around until his mother’s plan works out and then he’ll toss you back to where you came from”

“I’m sorry, who are you?”

The women cackle “I’e ain”

“You know… you just sound… a little bitter,” I say with a raised eyebrow

“Bitter?” Dylan scoffs “No We’re just trying to give you some friendly advice”

“Exactly,” Keri adds e nice”

“This is you being nice?” I roll ister “If that’s the case, I’m seriously sorry to have to let you know you just sound jealous”

My words send the chill I was hoping for They turn on their heels toward the front door just as Hartley appears with a bag of food in hand As the women pass him, they let him know exactly what they think of me

“Your ood luck with that”

They leave, the bells on the door jingling after them

I bite back s all at once Eer, fear

And even though I want this to work… it’s impossible not to question whether Hartley does

9

Hartley