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“Okay”

Pink raced over her cheeks, and I wondered what else she was going to say, but instead, she shook her head “Welcome to locker seventy-six, roomie”

She held out her hand I took it, ive a quick shake Instead, an electric current of attraction sparked between us I stood there staring into her eyes, trying to decide if they were turquoise or teal, and stroked her soft skin

“Thank you, Juliet” I loved the way her naue

She didn’t jerk her hand away, and she held aze

I ht then and there

One day, I’irl

Chapter Two

Roman

Protect

That’s all I wanted to do once I laid eyes on Juliet She consu classes Her laughter played over and over in my head Her smile Her kind eyes

And then there she was Waiting for hts She was so dae thruh my veins—to scoop her up and carry her away

People seemed to avoid her, which both bothered and pleased me I wanted her to s

“How is your first day progressing?” The corners of herme More like ere both in on the same joke

“La as the last three schools”

Her eyes widened “Why so many? Do your parents move around a lot?”

My eyes darted away I didn’t like talking about s that et away from the conversation But I sensed I could trust Juliet

“I live at the group home over on Pine,” I explained in a lowered voice “Foster care Before that, I stayed with a few families None of ’em stuck”

My story was more complicated than that Ten years, twelve different faroup ho too real, ht scare her away

Sadness clouded her eyes “I live with , but I understand what it feels like…not to…”

I waited for her to finish, anticipating what she’d say

“Feel wanted,” she finished

She’d never have to worry about that again I wanted her like nothing I’d ever wanted in my life

But I had absolutely nothing to offer her

No family No money Hell, I didn’t even have access to a vehicle to take her out on a date I had the clothes on s stuffed in a drawer at the ho I’d had a job lined up at the last place I lived, but that was gone now