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Warmth bubbles inside ofSot a care in the world, as though I haven’t spent e

“It’s okay I’ll talk to him Maybe he wants to offer me some more work”

Kenny nods and leaves A second later – before I have a chance to get ether – Nick fills the doorway

He’s already in his Santa suit, but he has the beard pulled down and the hat crumpled in his hands

Again, I’ the clothes seee, pulling at so inside of me

“Unfortunatelyinto the storage closet and looking around “So I can’t offer you any work”

His sharp eyes go from my makeshift bed to ed under the shelving unit

“Natalie, why are you sleeping in a mall?”

Sha else inside of h that will suddenly make me look less homeless

“I had to e Kenny can still stay there for now, because he’s just turned eighteen So he uses his key to let ht Well, he made me a copy He keeps a lookout for me And…”

But I stop, trailing off when the other thing arises in my mind

“And what?” he snaps

I spring to et to coate me, huh? You’re the one who threatenedreason”

“That was… yeah, that was a mistake I’ll admit that But I don’t want you to think I’ mall You deserve so much more than that”

“But why” I murmur

My voice cuts off with a quiver as he strides towardthe distance so I could reach out and touch hie His scent whispers all around ic or so

“What?”

He s hard atit i except shiver beneath his gaze

“What?” I echo