tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11257291230801375952024-02-19T06:20:20.203-08:00Lost in my Own Little WorldMireillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958225752322706613noreply@blogger.comBlogger201125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1125729123080137595.post-63546302098138027062022-05-02T23:00:00.002-07:002022-05-02T23:00:00.195-07:00Release Day! Born of Shadows and Magic is live! (first three chapters of A Fire Awakens)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdS5bFqyWwzvG_Z_1aKnaBda81eb1EGk8PapWxU3kzeMoL5NX5P8fLAjhbb7WVwp3CnoA3_8cLKOWZt4cJYu8xd7OjNDlo8ue-ZIiCU8o6_BbdExmqPjHOYusnnVWugtmc055hr3HI-oQ7OOHCu6lc5vwuS6mT6Gz6AvUHiCLuyXmlRchBuHL6ECah3A/s1200/BookBrushImage-2022-4-26-15-433.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdS5bFqyWwzvG_Z_1aKnaBda81eb1EGk8PapWxU3kzeMoL5NX5P8fLAjhbb7WVwp3CnoA3_8cLKOWZt4cJYu8xd7OjNDlo8ue-ZIiCU8o6_BbdExmqPjHOYusnnVWugtmc055hr3HI-oQ7OOHCu6lc5vwuS6mT6Gz6AvUHiCLuyXmlRchBuHL6ECah3A/w492-h256/BookBrushImage-2022-4-26-15-433.png" width="492" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>You guys! I am so excited to be a part of this box set! It is full of amazing stories by amazing authors! Don't forget to pick up your copy for just 99cents <a href="https://books2read.com/u/4NxXKW">HERE!!</a></p><p>Here's a sneak peek at my story, A Fire Awakens. </p><p><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">PROLOGUE</span></span></p><p><b id="docs-internal-guid-5627282c-7fff-de5a-6a2b-a6b743ab5adb" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I don’t remember when I moved to this neighborhood. I was a baby and this is where my adoptive parents had lived their whole married life together. I do remember growing up here, though. It was a quieter time back then. Sure, there was some crime. I mean, which city doesn’t have a few assholes running around stealing stuff that doesn’t belong to them. What there wasn’t, though, were the guns or the drugs. I also don’t remember the gangs back when I was younger. Maybe they were there, but they definitely hid themselves. There was no tagging of buildings or out in the open chop shops. There weren’t any addicts shooting up in broad daylight. I also know there weren’t drug dealers riding their bikes down the street with sawed off shotguns and machetes poking out of their backpacks. There weren’t the murders… </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxTBeuT0bSNMghXmLvbvqQqpmExkJyW45BNapprsyDXMmWVYngsfZpvomg8llVHBcSEFXk6CcEIzfT2TJ2pWQXoZqX5vy0IkyW3fi9wgw3_nereBogh5_pK-AQm_j5ncDd15hDOS6oo0oG7vWPk3hHgjbMWo5dRL4_Wa1BUM3_yxM4_Iwqj-lyW17hg/s2475/a%20fire%20awaken%20ebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1658" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxTBeuT0bSNMghXmLvbvqQqpmExkJyW45BNapprsyDXMmWVYngsfZpvomg8llVHBcSEFXk6CcEIzfT2TJ2pWQXoZqX5vy0IkyW3fi9wgw3_nereBogh5_pK-AQm_j5ncDd15hDOS6oo0oG7vWPk3hHgjbMWo5dRL4_Wa1BUM3_yxM4_Iwqj-lyW17hg/s320/a%20fire%20awaken%20ebook.jpg" width="214" /></a></span></div><span style="color: white;"><br />Here’s a fun statistic for you: in our city, Midtown has had the pleasure of hosting the first shooting death of the year five years in a row. Yeah. Yay for us. Our city is number three in the whole fucking country for violent crimes. Because that’s what every neighborhood or city wants to be known for.</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Now, don’t get me wrong. In Midtown, there are more good people than bad people. There are lovely homes with well-kept yards and neighbors that watch out for each other. People walk their dogs, say hello, and help push each other out of snowbanks in the winter. Unfortunately, the bad has a way of making itself known louder than the good. And the bad was getting louder and louder. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Then, one day, someone decided enough was enough.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">You know the story. You’ve probably seen the movie. Someone’s kid gets kidnapped, somebody’s wife gets murdered… hell, some guy’s dog gets killed and his car gets stolen. They all start the same way. Something mind blowing and/or traumatic happens and the hero turns into a kickass vigilante. Yeah. I love those, too. That’s not this story, though. I mean, not really.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I don’t have any kids and my boyfriend can take care of himself. My truck is the same rust bucket I’ve been driving for the past thirteen years and I don’t think it’s even worth anything for parts. My dog, he’s fine. He’s lying on his bed having dreams of chasing something as I tell you this. Probably the stray cat that likes to sit on the fence and bug him. We call him Orange Bastard. The cat. Not my dog. His name is Buck.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">No, this story doesn’t start with any horrific act that affects me specifically. It’s a culmination of never-ending assaults and robberies on a community that just wants to be left in peace. Though, I suppose, if we want to put an exact moment it happens, it starts with morning coffee in my backyard. And the end? Well, I’m not entirely sure how this ends because somewhere along this journey, I found out my entire life was a lie. I found out there were darker things out there than drugs and gangs; things that weren’t supposed to exist.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I should probably start with the morning coffee and walk you through the rest. Maybe I should have had my coffee on the front deck instead of the back yard that day. Though, thinking about it now, I don’t think it would have made much of a difference. By this point, I was sick of it. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This story starts with a flowerpot and an abandoned house. And that flower pot? Yeah. Not even my flower pot; my neighbor’s.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span></span></p><p><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">CHAPTER ONE</span></span></p><p><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">It was a beautiful spring morning. The air was still chilly enough you needed a sweater on, but the coffee was hot and the steam from my cup helped warm my cold nose and fingers. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">The sound of my neighbor’s back door slamming had me standing and walking over to our shared fence.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“Morning, Dar.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">The moment she turned at the sound of her name, I could tell something was wrong. She was pissed.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjzT_rLIixL1bYsvGfeobhl-dBV67p91QKdnWLyAG4CgW3ws3h9Wz1zVlLjz0RNSIGOyYcdcr2YvffHRmTc8ivuwcrokWnScH48s78nmM4i3-w-hcAPbYTwBRH-O2afZkVhqKrObgYdSF_ouqw92qocw-86XSoQnKGibQ790HceMduwNfVGT1uRJYqQ/s998/Screenshot_20220326-172554_Canva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="995" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjzT_rLIixL1bYsvGfeobhl-dBV67p91QKdnWLyAG4CgW3ws3h9Wz1zVlLjz0RNSIGOyYcdcr2YvffHRmTc8ivuwcrokWnScH48s78nmM4i3-w-hcAPbYTwBRH-O2afZkVhqKrObgYdSF_ouqw92qocw-86XSoQnKGibQ790HceMduwNfVGT1uRJYqQ/s320/Screenshot_20220326-172554_Canva.jpg" width="319" /></a></span></div><span style="color: white;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“It’s gone. They fucking took it.” Her blue eyes were blazing. “I’ve had that flowerpot for two bloody days and it’s already gone.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“Really?”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">She nodded and got to work yanking some very persistent weeds out of her just-tilled garden. I almost felt sorry for the dandelion she was currently attacking. There was a lot of anger and frustration in those yanks. Not that I blamed her. That flowerpot had been awesome. Black with multi-colored lights that looked like running water spilling over like a fountain. It was gorgeous. And big. And heavy!</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“How the hell did they get it off your deck?”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">She shook her head violently. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“Did you phone it in?”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Again, a head shake. “What’s the use?”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I shrugged. I didn’t disagree with her. Once upon a time, as crime rates rose, a lot of the houses in Midtown had installed cameras to catch thieves and drug dealers in the act. A few years ago, the lowlifes had gone to war on the cameras, blacking out or breaking them at a faster rate than they could be cleaned or replaced. Most law-abiding citizens had given up, Dar and I included.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">No cameras, no pictures, no suspects. Just another police report with a never solved ending.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“Did you check on any of the buy and sell pages online?” </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">She nodded and went on with her murderous weeding spree. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I went back to my lounge chair and leaned back into it with a frustrated sigh. Fucking Midtown. While we were at it, fuck the whole of Palbert City. The entire thing was filled with drugs and booze and all the shit shows that came with it. Of course, what else would you expect from a city that had one swimming pool, one movie theater, one bowling alley and 15 bars, lounges, and just as many cold beer and wine stores. There was nothing to do here BUT drink and party.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">So why did I stay here if things were this bad? I blew a breath out of my nose. Because it was home and I’d be damned if the assholes were going to scare me off. I had worked hard to come up with a down payment for my little house and, damn it, I loved my little house.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“Buckbuck.” The little voice at my fence was barely audible, but Buck definitely heard one of his favorite little people.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“Maybe Buckbuck is inside sleeping, honey.” </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“Hey, Janine! We’re back here.” I went to the gate and let them in.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“I’m sorry. He insisted on stopping to see Buck when we walked by. Jayjay, can you say hi Aveh?”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">The two-year-old grinned at me. “Hi.” His attention went back to the dog who was loving the attention.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“It’s no bother. Buckbuck loves it. Do you want a coffee?”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">She shook her head. “No. We’re going to finish up our walk and then it’s nap time. He didn’t have a great night last night.” </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“The neighbors again?” I passed one of Buck’s balls to Jayjay so he could throw it.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">She sighed, obviously exhausted. “Yeah. I put my name in to get into a little house a couple of blocks from here, but until it opens up, we’re stuck in that apartment building.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Running a hand through her long black hair, she shrugged. It was what it was. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">We watched as Jayjay and Buck played a few rounds of keep-away. The toddler’s laugh was infectious and I grinned.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Janine tugged on the toddler’s hand and managed to set him in the stroller with minimal struggling.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEW9BKbdk1KFjByYA4Mf1ZrIt3W2R1DxFfnhqg2UDUEjys_HDbx-RyDgXpCboZPSdAyc45uVhvHarzkbiokt-3c75Xeihnakyvi-oA769BP9bk72RdvjNtbk75JNZOyQerXCTH_b16xei9sWSInHwGuyVVbNtP_u3ltos3IvSHn2fPVc4Ah5-iO1KFQ/s995/Screenshot_20220326-170920_Canva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="995" data-original-width="976" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEW9BKbdk1KFjByYA4Mf1ZrIt3W2R1DxFfnhqg2UDUEjys_HDbx-RyDgXpCboZPSdAyc45uVhvHarzkbiokt-3c75Xeihnakyvi-oA769BP9bk72RdvjNtbk75JNZOyQerXCTH_b16xei9sWSInHwGuyVVbNtP_u3ltos3IvSHn2fPVc4Ah5-iO1KFQ/s320/Screenshot_20220326-170920_Canva.jpg" width="314" /></span></a></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I smiled at Jayjay’s adorable way. “Have a good walk. And you, little man, you be good for your mom.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">She laughed. “I’ll let you know how that goes.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Closing the gate behind them, I headed back into the house to warm up my coffee.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span></span></p><p><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">CHAPTER TWO</span></span></p><p><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I’d like to say I was surprised when I spotted Dar’s flowerpot on one of the local buy and sell pages two days later, but I wasn’t. If something got stolen, it usually turned up there. Steal it, sell it, get enough money for their next fix, get messed up, and start the process all over again.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I sent the seller a message.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Is this still available?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I didn’t have to wait long.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Pick up only, cash only.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It works? </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I didn’t want to seem too eager. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Yeah. Do you want it or not?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">The seller was obviously crashing and in need of his next fix. That, or he was truly a shitty salesperson. Or both. I was going to go with both.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I’ve got 30 bucks on me. I can be there right now.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fine. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He sent me an address. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">He was definitely crashing. You didn’t try to sell something for a hundred and fifty bucks then accept thirty unless you were desperate.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Jumping into my truck, I headed the fifteen blocks to where Dar’s flowerpot was waiting for me. I pulled up to the boarded-up house that fit the address. Had it not been for the flowerpot sitting by the sidewalk, I would have driven right by. This house was supposed to be abandoned. </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0NyhcCT6syH3C_HbstBGoHeHGdGkjAbZyfc_fY3mMXftYd6ioum4HCvHGxW4bEL86WsouTNnqbjJ9PGnUnscvF5_PKMdF9wVpyBPN1MxUFLyWCwwvdtA8KTyLolvL5Io_HtJ2RLtyagX7tIJPrLKguO0mnqMDIa2_oeZPAZd9iHuyQRIwZ_2z5_XCw/s996/Screenshot_20220326-173657_Canva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="991" data-original-width="996" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0NyhcCT6syH3C_HbstBGoHeHGdGkjAbZyfc_fY3mMXftYd6ioum4HCvHGxW4bEL86WsouTNnqbjJ9PGnUnscvF5_PKMdF9wVpyBPN1MxUFLyWCwwvdtA8KTyLolvL5Io_HtJ2RLtyagX7tIJPrLKguO0mnqMDIa2_oeZPAZd9iHuyQRIwZ_2z5_XCw/s320/Screenshot_20220326-173657_Canva.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="color: white;"><br />The cops had shut it down after a drug raid weeks earlier. Apparently, the rats had taken up residence once again. I stepped out of the truck and handed a skeletal man my thirty dollars. The wind shifted and I had to hold my breath as the stench came off him and assaulted my senses.</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Two more men, neither of them in better shape than the first, came out and not so carefully chucked the pot into the back of my truck.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“You live around here?” one of them inquired. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I shook my head. “Nope. Just happened to come to town for some shopping.” Before anything else could be said, I got into my truck and drove away. Pulling into my backyard, I shut the two large gates and breathed a sigh of relief. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">With a quick glance at the time, I pulled out my phone and dialed. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“Hey, gorgeous. How’s your day going?”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I grinned at the sound of Ben’s voice. “Did I wake you?” I could picture his dark blond hair sticking up like it did every time he woke up.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I heard him yawn and stretch and wished he was here instead of at his own place.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“Naw. I’ve been hitting snooze for the past half hour.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“Do you have time for a breakfast/supper date?”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“Always.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I checked my watch. His shift started at seven and it was five. “I’ll meet you at Danny’s in a half hour?”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“Sounds good.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Opening the tailgate on the truck, I couldn’t help but smile. Today was definitely turning out to be a good day.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I heard Dar open her back door to let the dog out.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“Hey! Dar! Look at what I found?” I laughed at the complete shock on her face as she peeked over the fence.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“Holy shit! Where?”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I unlocked the man gate so she could come into the yard. “One of the buy and sells. They were asking one fifty for it. Thankfully for us, he was crashing and needed a quick fix.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“How much?”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“Thirty.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“Just give me a sec, I’ve got that in my purse.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I stopped her from walking away. “No. Absolutely not. Just call us even from when you rescued my moose ornament last Christmas.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I had to gasp for breath once she finally released me from her hug. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Carefully, we managed to get the pot back into her yard.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“Maybe keep it back here for a bit. They asked if I was from around here. I told them I was from out of town, but you know.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">She nodded. “Absolutely. Hell, it’s staying back here until I can get Paul to rebar it into the ground.” She gave me another quick hug. “Thanks so much, Aveh.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“Any time.” I checked my watch. “Shit. I’m going to be late. Mind getting my gates after I leave?”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sure thing.” She helped me swing them open and I watched in my rear view as she shut them again. One of my main worries when buying my own place had been what kind of neighbors I’d end up with. I’d gotten pretty damn lucky. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span></span></p><p><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">CHAPTER THREE</span></span></p><p><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Ben was already sitting at a table when I finally got to the restaurant. He waved me over with a smile that melted my heart. Damn that man and his smile. He stood as I got to the table and gave me a quick kiss before sitting again. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">The smell of body wash and shaving cream filled my nose. The last of the druggy stench vanished from my memory.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“How was your sleep?” I inquired as the waitress filled my cup with coffee. “Thanks Jean.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">She nodded and gave us a few minutes to look at the menu.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“Good. I’ll be glad when this shift is over so I can go back to sleeping at night like a regular human being.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I didn’t know how he did it. Not the night shifts; I’d had the odd job that required shift work and night shifts were hard on the system, but doable. But being a cop in this city… There were days he’d come home completely worn out and discouraged. Just as quickly as they could arrest the criminals, the justice system was letting them back on the street with a slap on the wrist. It was no wonder crime was such an out in the open thing. Why be scared to get arrested when you knew you’d be free to do as you pleased in no time at all.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Common excuses? The jails were full. The system was overloaded. Somehow, the criminal’s rights had been violated. But what about the victim’s rights? Apparently, those didn’t matter.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I reached across the table and gave his hand a squeeze and his dark blue eyes met mine. “Come to my place when your shift is done. I’ll make you something good for supper/breakfast.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Jean returned with her order pad.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“I’ll have the steak sandwich, rare, with fries and gravy.” I watched her scribble down the order then turn her attention to Ben.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vwg7FI4163u3h5hY2NRjnOV5qzwxZf1t5GFPPk8RjylZvlQo6hacJZ0qWimWNscHKgqbtjrv9NmaOBSfRR-srko8pNfmswQ2Fx84TMRpya_Vi2TvmpO73uPGKZUJ3PaxZuiyBHDPBb3PJ22k40ibq2MVBskt8nVNJjTWgQeRJqE7ncVo_zY0gSFNWA/s1564/IMG_20211121_085200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vwg7FI4163u3h5hY2NRjnOV5qzwxZf1t5GFPPk8RjylZvlQo6hacJZ0qWimWNscHKgqbtjrv9NmaOBSfRR-srko8pNfmswQ2Fx84TMRpya_Vi2TvmpO73uPGKZUJ3PaxZuiyBHDPBb3PJ22k40ibq2MVBskt8nVNJjTWgQeRJqE7ncVo_zY0gSFNWA/s320/IMG_20211121_085200.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="color: white;"><br />“Steak and eggs, steak rare, eggs over easy, rye toast, and hashbrowns.”</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I waited until she was out of earshot before giving him the good news about Dar’s flowerpot.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">His brow furrowed. “Babe, I told you not to be doing shit like that. What if they’d decided the thirty wasn’t enough? What if they were still cracked out? You should have phoned it in.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I shook my head. “It wouldn’t have done any good. Dar didn’t file a report. There’s nothing you guys could have done about it. Anyway, you know I can take care of myself.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">He grunted. “Your crazy MMA skills aren’t going to do you much good when they pull a gun.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“You’re just still angry I got you to tap out the first time you met me at the gym.” I stuck my tongue out at him and he smirked before laughing.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“You’re tiny. I didn’t want to hurt you.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Our laughter turned some heads in our direction and we quieted down.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“Anyway, you might want to drive by the gang house on tenth you shut down a couple weeks ago. That’s where they were holed up.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“Fuck sakes. They should just have a demo crew follow us in and tear the fucking places down after we’ve cleared them.” He was always more emotional on his last night shift. He looked exhausted.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Our food arrived and we quickly finished up so he could get to the station on time for shift change. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Outside, I stood on my tiptoes so I could kiss him properly. His arms snaked around my waist and I sighed, perfectly content to just stay pressed against his chest.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“You should phone in sick.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">He scoffed. “You should have told me to do that two hours ago when you woke me up.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“You wouldn’t have done it either way.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">He grinned and kissed me one last time before opening my truck door for me. “Last one. Then you have me to yourself for four days.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“Fine.” I sat in the driver’s seat and rolled the window down once he’d shut the door. “Say hey to Trey for me. Be careful and stay safe.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">He grunted. “I should be saying that to you. At least when I hit up the criminals I have a vest and a gun. And back up.” He glanced at his watch. “OK. I have to go. Love you. I’ll see you in the morning.”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">My heart warmed at his declaration. It was a new step between us and it still gave me butterflies to hear him say it. “Love you, too.”</span></span></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 14.173228346456694pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">My heart and stomach full, I headed home to let Buck out.</span></span></p><div><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Have a great day, Sweetlings!</span></span></div>Mireillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958225752322706613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1125729123080137595.post-44782700870319197042022-02-24T01:00:00.032-08:002022-02-24T01:00:00.217-08:00Sweet as Huney Release day and first three chapters!!Happy book birthday to me!<div>You guys, I am so excited! Sweet as Huney is my 22nd story to be published, but more importantly, it is my very first bi/poly paranormal romance!</div><div><br /></div><div>What happens when a human, a fae, and a bee shifter get caught in the middle of a cupid/anti-cupid feud? I can tell you one thing, it's a wild ride!</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a peek at what you can look forward to. Click <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Crimson-Moon-Hideaway-Sweet-Huney-ebook/dp/B09QB2K689/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3QBQDR82OESNK&keywords=mireille+chester&qid=1645675165&s=digital-text&sprefix=mireille+chester%2Cdigital-text%2C243&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">HERE</span></a> to pick up your copy!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3EaolQUXc5tZzPRHz_BeULMtXJuvJykZfhiG7FGZ6bb-A9YAFci3zELSlj5Dr7vRGLhgS4bQsz5Cpu_dX_UkRg7-EE90LeqYH0hSbcNz-3VlYGq0Eb4eq6sXKzUZ_faqowK3y7wgE2EGAEWUdmQ6Fwm384t03izSXm3lPpWhJlaaN1fm1PdtiY0aShQ=s1082" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3EaolQUXc5tZzPRHz_BeULMtXJuvJykZfhiG7FGZ6bb-A9YAFci3zELSlj5Dr7vRGLhgS4bQsz5Cpu_dX_UkRg7-EE90LeqYH0hSbcNz-3VlYGq0Eb4eq6sXKzUZ_faqowK3y7wgE2EGAEWUdmQ6Fwm384t03izSXm3lPpWhJlaaN1fm1PdtiY0aShQ=s320" width="319" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-4a3b284b-7fff-6fd7-6400-bb5537b6e4db"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CHAPTER ONE</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Three months ago... </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Crimson Moon Hideaway...</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“So, you really had no idea?” Luther snorted, shaking his head. He watched Matt roll his eyes before smiling. He fought the urge to take the man’s hand, completely overcome by the feeling. It wasn’t like he’d never been attracted to a man before, but this was Nat’s partner. And he was human. And he’d just found out about all the paranormal things in this world. And he knew the man had had a wife.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The detective ran a hand through his dark hair and the sunlight caught the hints of silver in it as he smoothed his beard. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No. I didn’t have a clue. I knew Nat’s family. Not well, but I’d worked a few leads with her dad. When she ranked up to detective, they put her with me. I mean, I knew she was fast and had a crazy sixth sense about where a perp might have gone, but no. Never in my wildest dreams did I think there was such a thing as magic and elves and all of this.” He waved a hand to encompass the Crimson Moon Hideaway resort and everything in and around it.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They made their way up the path that led to the cliffs where Luther was sure Huney would find a flower she’d like. The honeybee buzzed from her perch on Matt’s shoulder and the human smiled.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther cocked his head in question.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“She says if I hadn’t accidentally shot Gage thinking he was a bear, she would have told me sooner than later.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther laughed. “Does she know why she can talk to you and no one else?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt shook his head. “She says no.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The men stood on the cliff and Luther let the breeze blow over his wings. It wasn’t very often he could just forget about the glamor that hid his true self. Being able to just be who he was, was freeing.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He noticed Matt watching. Matt always seemed to be watching. The Fae had chalked it up to the man being a detective. It most definitely wasn’t because he might be interested in him. Matt wasn’t the most talkative, but Luther had learned he was a widower and his life partner had been a woman... Still, that didn’t stop Lew from wondering if maybe there was something else behind the looks.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He gave a flick of his wings and Matt cocked his head.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther smiled. “Ask away.” It was strange. He’d met the man less than twenty-four hours before and yet he found himself drawn to the human who could talk to bees.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Can you actually fly with those?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Fae laughed. “I can, yes.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sorry. They just... They look like fancy dragonfly wings.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther grunted. “First, I’m a sparkly elf, now I’m a fancy dragonfly. If I keep hanging around you, I’m going to end up with a complex.” He smiled to show he was joking.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brushing some almost white bangs out of his very light blue eyes, he jumped off the cliff.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Lew!” Matt’s relief was obvious as he rose up into view. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Why, Matthew! Were you worried about me?” teased Luther.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Jackass.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Fae laughed. “Right. Well, no one has ever accused me of being a sensitive guy.” He frowned. “Except maybe Nat and Venice.” He set back down on the ground beside Matt. “Sorry.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wait. Why was he apologizing? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That was pretty impressive.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther grinned. “Before you ask, no, I can’t carry any more weight than mine.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt’s hazel eyes blinked and he burst out laughing. “I wasn’t going to ask. You might be taller than me, but I probably outweigh you by a good thirty pounds.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lew smiled. He’d definitely noticed. He wasn’t sure what the detective did to stay in shape, but the way he filled out his t-shirt... the size of those calves... </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He realized they were simply staring at each other. He should talk about something. Nat. Her upcoming wedding to Gage. The resort. Anything. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt rescued him by clearing his throat and turning toward the flower patch. He tensed.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“There.” Luther pointed to a blue daisy.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt’s gaze fell on Huney and he visibly relaxed.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lew had to turn away to hide his smile. Big, burly, Detective Matthew Cain was worried about a honeybee. There was no way he was going to admit his heart had also flopped when he hadn’t noticed her right away...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A chirp had him spinning toward the bee in question.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt’s head snapped to the right as a red bird flew from the trees, making a charge at Huney.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No! Luther gathered his magic, feeling it well in his chest. Snapping his arms forward, he threw a shield at Huney.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The magic engulfed her and the bird bounced off it, flying off with a surprised squawk. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What the...” Matt gawked at the sight in front of them.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Where the bee had been hovering in the air, a woman with long light brown hair and honey-colored eyes sat on the ground. Naked.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther’s lungs emptied and he struggled to suck in a breath when his head started to spin. He couldn’t breathe. Why couldn’t he breathe?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt rushed to her side, kneeling beside her.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Huney?” He pulled his t-shirt off and helped her into it.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She opened her mouth, her voice coming out a raspy squeak. She nodded and threw her arms around his neck, shaking.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Shhhh... It’s okay. You’re okay.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His wide eyes met Luther’s and the Fae jerked. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Luther. Get the fuck over here! What’s going on?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Give him a second.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Huney’s voice laced through his head.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What’s wrong with him? Jesus. You’re the one that’s not a bee anymore.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther couldn’t move. All he could do was stare at the scene before him. Long, pale legs peeking out from under the dark blue shirt, Matt’s thick arms around the tiny woman who was now in his lap. The Fae groaned.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt leaned back enough to tuck her hair behind her ears, his gaze taking in her face. “How are you not a bee anymore?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther’s magic interrupted the spell.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Huney’s voice wrapped him in warmth and Lew’s brain picked up that bit of information. “What spell? Is that why I didn’t... why I couldn’t...” He hopped up and down a few times, shaking out his arms and wings.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt cocked his head. “You heard her?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He nodded. Gods. He heard her. He felt her. He felt him...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Huney held her hand out and Luther went to her. Staying in Matt’s lap, she wrapped Lew’s arm around her. Her shaking lessened.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I was young, I met a man. A warlock.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther stiffened and felt Matt do the same beside him. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s not a long story, really. He wanted me to be his mate. I just couldn’t. I’d always felt I had a true mate, but I hadn’t met him yet. I told him this. He cursed me.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“He cursed you?” Matt’s anger was palpable.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She nodded. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was to be a bee for eternity. I mean, I am a bee. I’m a shifter. A bee shifter.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther’s eyes met Matt’s over her head. Nope. He couldn’t look into those eyes right now. He focused on the top of Huney’s head. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her face turned up to Matt’s. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I couldn’t tell anyone. The spell kept me from talking to everyone. Except you. I knew the moment I saw you. At first, I stayed away because Gage had warned me you didn’t know anything about us. Then, when you shot him, I found I could actually talk to you, but the spell still kept me from telling you anything about the curse or that you were my mate. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Christ, I almost smooshed you with my file folder.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther watched as the other man’s fingers ran through her hair and waited to feel a stab of possessiveness or jealousy. Nothing. Just the need to also tug at those long locks and maybe feel what the detective’s fingers would feel like against his skin... Her long legs, Matt’s big hands...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He groaned. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I couldn’t talk to you at all. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She turned her head towards the Fae. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I felt a pull, but it was so faint... I think he cast the spell to ward against me finding a paranormal mate. He didn’t think I’d also have a human one. But your shield... I don’t think anyone else’s would have worked.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt shook his head, inhaling deeply. “Okay. Let me know if I’m getting this right. When you were young, some asshole cursed you to never be human again because you turned him down. Then you met me and you realized I’m... I’m your mate? Like Nat and Gage?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Huney nodded. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And that’s why I feel the need to walk around with a bee for company all the time. Because even though I’m human, I can somehow feel this.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another nod. Luther watched as he worked it through in his mind.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And Luther, he’s also our mate.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther swallowed hard. Our. He’d said our and hadn’t sounded disgusted or freaked out.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt’s lips twitched. “That explains that.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Fae frowned. “Explains what?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Why I wanted to be around you just as much as I wanted to be around Huney. I mean, you’re gorgeous, but this is the first time I felt like I needed to be around someone like this.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther cleared his throat and Matt raised an eyebrow.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This is a lot harder on you than it is on me, isn’t it?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lew nodded.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It will get worse for everyone once the curse is lifted.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was Matt’s turn to frown. “I thought Lew broke it.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He interrupted it. This won’t last. I can already feel my bee fighting to take over.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> She sighed. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Being able to talk to both of you, actually touch you... </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tears streaked down her face. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m sorry.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther’s heart ached for her. “What, in the Gods’ names, are you sorry for?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt wiped her tears. “Holy shit. I can feel that. Please don’t feel like that.” He tightened his hold on her and Luther pressed his lips to her hair.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We finally found each other and now you’ll be stuck with a bee for the rest of our lives.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A shiver ran through her.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther watched Matt’s eyes widen and knew he could feel her panic just as vividly as he could.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It will be alright.” The Fae said it for their benefit as well as his.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I... I need to do this in case it never happens again.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Huney tilted her head up and sighed as Matt’s hands cupped her face, his lips claiming hers, simply knowing what she needed.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther watched as the other man’s tongue found hers, the kiss slow and tender. He groaned.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Huney’s next shiver broke off the kiss.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s going to be okay,” whispered Matt.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amber colored eyes met his light blue ones and Luther took a moment to memorize every spec in them.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lew, please. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another shiver ran through her.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther claimed her mouth gently, fighting every mating urge he had. Now wasn’t the time. And she was right. There may never be a time when the three of them could all be together. He refused to believe the curse couldn’t be lifted, but there were so many unknown variables... If that was the case, she was going to know she was cared for and cherished. No matter what form she was in.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As a shiver caused their lips to separate, he made her a silent promise. They would find a way to break the curse.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Huney stood, barely able to stay upright with the force of the next tremor. Both men were on their feet in an instant.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can’t keep her back anymore. The spell is too strong. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She pulled the t-shirt over her head and handed it to Matt. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I just... I just hope I can still talk to you after this. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther’s heart sank as her form shimmered and seemed to evaporate, leaving a honeybee in the woman’s place. He swallowed hard.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Huney?” Matt’s voice cracked.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can you hear me?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Relief flooded through him. “Loud and clear.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now that the spell was back in charge, the mating pull wasn’t as strong, but there was no denying it was there. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther let out a long breath to steady his nerves. “We need to talk to Jianna.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt frowned. “The resort’s owner?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther nodded. “If there’s a way to lift this curse, she’s our best bet at either knowing it, or knowing where to start looking.” He held his hand out and Huney landed on it. “We’ll figure this out.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt’s large hand squeezed his shoulder and he could feel the man’s determination. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Huney’s excitement nearly bowled him over as she made her way to the detective’s shoulder.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt smiled. “Let’s go get some answers.”</span></p><br /><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CHAPTER TWO</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Present...</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What do you mean you’re not packed?” Luther’s voice rose an octave over the phone.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitD2T80ce70H-LeWH7WBrlmopzZOauN9isIKzlP1UUodJNq0CPUHSXjDpb_7rWnzeO2tiya6fu04veQkixsZZF0iUe-Toj1okfeW_NL5dv1BAvMI13QG7vkqGQwyokxyF-pPEPbxKwMughlQHobQqn6wBP_Gcvk9PqECM0fROfe0USKR2OfgChUd7F4g=s2373" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2373" data-original-width="1497" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitD2T80ce70H-LeWH7WBrlmopzZOauN9isIKzlP1UUodJNq0CPUHSXjDpb_7rWnzeO2tiya6fu04veQkixsZZF0iUe-Toj1okfeW_NL5dv1BAvMI13QG7vkqGQwyokxyF-pPEPbxKwMughlQHobQqn6wBP_Gcvk9PqECM0fROfe0USKR2OfgChUd7F4g=s320" width="202" /></a></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt grunted. “Relax. Some of us don’t have a regular work schedule. People don’t kill each other on a regular nine to five, Monday to Friday timeframe. Don’t start. I’ve been up for damn near thirty-six hours.” He ran a hand over his face and let out an exhausted sigh.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You’re pinching the bridge of your nose, aren’t you?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt could hear the smile in his voice. He grunted. “No.” He let go of his nose.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Are you okay?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He nodded. “Yeah. Just tired.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Moving into the bedroom, he found his duffle bag, threw in some shorts, a pair of swimming trunks, underwear, jeans, some t-shirts, and a hoodie. “There. I’m packed. You can relax.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He could almost hear Luther roll his eyes.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt smiled. “Anyway, Nat was filling in Granger so she can help out should anything come up while I’m gone.” He raised an eyebrow. “Lew, I can hear you grinding your teeth through the phone.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I can’t stand that woman.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He grinned and managed not to laugh. “While you’re adorable when you’re jealous, there’s no need to be. Gail is happily married.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther grunted. “Tell that to her drunk ass at the pub two weekends ago.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt pinched his nose. “Alright. I’m too tired to deal with your really weird and sudden paranoia. Christ, Luther. Have you seen yourself lately? You make straight guys stop and stare.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He thought back to two weeks ago when the Fae had come to visit. Nearly every head in the pub had turned as the man had walked into the room. Matt didn’t blame them. That five o'clock shadow, the short, messy blond hair, those light blue eyes... not to mention the tall, lean body. With his crisp white button up and khakis, Luther didn’t really dress to entice, but he didn’t need to. Not to mention the glamor he used to hide his true self seemed to attract other humans like moths to a fucking bonfire.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He’d watched, amused, as one of the rookies had made her way to his side, hips swaying. She’d blinked, clearly shocked as he said something, pointed to Matt and made his way over to him.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Lew, you have that whole magic mojo thing going on. I’m just plain old human me.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What was it Nat said all the time? Fucking Fae and their fucking gorgeous everything? Yeah. That sounded about right.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The detective cracked open a beer. “If anyone should be worried and jealous, it should be me. Which I'm not.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Okay. Just... I’m sorry. You know I’m not actually, you know...”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Possessive and jealous and paranoid?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yeah. Those. I’m just...”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt could hear his teeth grinding again. “You’re just worried about this weekend,” he said softly.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yeah.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yeah.” He blew a breath out of his nose.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Is she there?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No. I was supposed to pick her up yesterday after work, but then I got stuck there.” Matt ran a hand over his face, nerves and exhaustion making him feel sick. “I’ll pick her up on the way to the airport first thing in the morning.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Don’t forget your cigarettes.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt glanced at the plastic cigarette pack protector already on his duffle bag. It fit perfectly in his shirt pocket and kept Huney hidden and safe when they were out in public. It always got a grin out of Nat when she saw either man with it since neither of them smoked.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Already done. Are you sure you don’t want to come here and pack for me?” He didn’t bother hiding the sarcasm in his question, though he was smiling.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Having Luther as a mate was almost the same as having Dee as a wife. For such a carefree, fun-loving guy, the Fae was quite the worrier when it came to Matt and Huney.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sweetheart, if I showed up at your house tonight, there would be zero packing going on.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt could see the lopsided grin in his mind. He missed that grin.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If someone had told him a year ago that his partner was an Elf, her husband was a bear shifter, and that he, Detective Matthew Cain, human, would be mates with a Fae and a bee shifter stuck in bee form, he’d have laughed them out of the building. But today? Today, it was the most natural thing in the world. And he was happy. The happiest he’d been since Dee had passed away. Fucking cancer.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“As fun as that sounds, by the time you got here, I’d be on my way to meet you at the resort.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther grunted. “I’m really looking forward to next week.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt smiled. “Me too. Did you finish packing up your office?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I did.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“How did your trial go today?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Not guilty, as it should have been.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I knew you’d convince them.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well, I’m not going to lie. I almost forgot my closing arguments because all I could think about was getting Huney uncursed and then getting us all moved into our new place.” Luther grunted. “Never in my life did I ever think I’d leave the big city to live on an acreage outside of itty bitty Palbert City. Is it even big enough to qualify as an actual city? I keep meaning to check the population online...”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt chuckled. “Yes. It is.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Hey. Nat said you got sent to the principal’s office.” Luther sounded a mix of amused and concerned.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He rolled his eyes. “Yeah. The captain didn't appreciate my speech.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You gave a speech?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“After you met me at the bar, tongues started to wag. Seriously, I couldn’t give a shit if they want to talk about me, but they started pulling Dee into the conversation.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Shit. I’m sorry.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt grunted. “Don’t be. I walked by the water cooler and heard two rookies fucking talking about it. Something about ‘what would my dead wife think about the fact I was screwing a guy’. The bastard wasn’t even around when Dee was alive. So, I stood on my chair, got everyone’s attention, and told them that Dee had known I was attracted to both men and women, she was alright with it, yes, I was now in a relationship with a man, and if they had a problem with it, they could all go fuck themselves.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther was laughing on the other end of the phone. “Tell me someone took a video. I need to see that.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt rolled his eyes. “If they did, they haven’t been brave enough to show me. If they thought us being together was gossip worthy, they’re going to shit their pants the first time they see us with Huney.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Both men sobered. If they ever saw them with Huney. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This is going to work, right, Lew?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No answer, but even this far apart, he could feel the Fae’s worry.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Stop grinding your teeth, Babe.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Only if you stop pinching your nose.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The magical pull he felt to Luther and Huney always hurt after not being around them for any amount of time. Two weeks away from Luther and it was almost intolerable. He knew it was worse for his mate because he was paranormal. It would get worse still once the curse on Huney was lifted. It had played a part in his decision to ask Luther move cities. That and the fact that even without the magic, he loved the man.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One more night.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He finished his beer and set the alarm on his phone. “I’m going to head to bed before I fall asleep standing up.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Alright. Have a good sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow. ‘Night, Sweetheart.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“G’night, Lew.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He hung up, smiling. Everything would go according to plan. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everything had to go according to plan.</span></p><br /><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CHAPTER THREE</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther sat on the edge of the bed in the cabin, his leg twitching with nerves. He could hear Matt telling him to stop grinding his teeth and the thought helped him relax. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Drinking the mini bottle of rum, he stood. Not usually one to hide from a crowd, the busy lobby of the resort was too much to handle right now. He wanted a proper drink, but there was no way he was leaving the cabin they’d rented. His chest hurt so badly, he was sure it would implode at any moment. He needed to see them. He needed to touch them. Gods, he missed them. The past two weeks had been a special kind of hell.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maybe it was because this weekend had been looming and beyond this weekend, whatever future was in store for them. Whether Huney was a bee or able to shift, one thing was certain: the three of them would be together.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He shook out his wings, pacing around the cabin.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What time was it? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He checked his watch. Soon. They’d be here soon and from that moment on he wouldn’t have to feel this pain ever again.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His phone rang and his heart warmed. “Hey.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Hey. I can feel how much you’re hurting. We’re almost there. Is this better?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The instant Matt’s voice reached his ear, the pain lessened.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yeah. A bit. It’s never been this bad before.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Maybe it’s all the magic in that place.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well, whatever it is, it sucks.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We’re about ten minutes out.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He took a deep breath. “No problems at the airport?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It was all smooth sailing. We had a kid sitting beside us. How old was he?” There was a pause while Huney answered him. “Twelve. He noticed Huney sticking her head out of my pocket.” He grunted. “Yes, I know you like to look out the window. You’re just lucky it was that kid and not some bitchy adult who would have made a fuss.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther chuckled. “What did the kid do?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXRi4J0XgiJKSScjmKtdHqWPhg-UZcaAW9JzvWRDAFZzKefPJmf7sPdHT9Ja8ItPzj1kQG8-T8t6F2G1gSlRGDt5f77XhjpbMDEGC4rUz3Bxl6_tbL6UNPDXCE49gnmLdjnIdwLXVRhJd9RskJItuS73-WgMNlpuhD9MknGyp-Zh-LPWKEbKd_O6d90g=s1564" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXRi4J0XgiJKSScjmKtdHqWPhg-UZcaAW9JzvWRDAFZzKefPJmf7sPdHT9Ja8ItPzj1kQG8-T8t6F2G1gSlRGDt5f77XhjpbMDEGC4rUz3Bxl6_tbL6UNPDXCE49gnmLdjnIdwLXVRhJd9RskJItuS73-WgMNlpuhD9MknGyp-Zh-LPWKEbKd_O6d90g=s320" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“He asked why I had a bee in my pocket. I told him she was mine and she liked to ride in my pocket when I went places.”</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And he didn’t question it?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Nope. He asked me her name and what she liked to eat. I told him she liked stories. Lew, this kid spent the entire flight telling her stories.” He laughed and the Fae’s pain lessened a bit more. “When the flight attendant came by with crackers, he asked for honey to dunk his in then set up a little book fort on his table so Huney could eat hidden.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That’s...” Luther shook his head. “That’s pretty amazing.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I thought maybe he was paranormal, but it’s not really something you can just ask someone.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther burst out laughing. “No. It isn’t. Did he get off with you?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yeah, but I think he had another flight to get on. He’s visiting his grandparents.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A car pulled up to the cabin.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Please tell me that’s you. I can’t handle anyone else right now.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s us.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The call disconnected and he sat on the couch, relief flooding through him. He heard Matt jump three steps to get onto the deck and the door opened.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt’s eyes took a fraction of a second to find him. It took the rest of that second to kneel in front of the Fae, his strong arms wrapping around him, careful of his wings.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther’s head dropped onto his mate’s shoulder with a groan. The pain started to ease and his lungs could finally fill properly.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Huney landed on his shoulder. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That was too long.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He nodded. “Never again.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Inhaling deeply, he relaxed. It was alright. Everything was going to be alright.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sitting back, he found himself looking into worried hazel eyes.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt frowned. “You okay?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther smiled. “I am now.” He closed his eyes as Matt held his face.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Are you sure? I mean, it was pretty bad for me and worse for Huney, but you... That was intense.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m sure.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt’s lips found his, the slow and tender kiss pulling another sigh from the Fae. Everything was definitely okay.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Babe, you look exhausted.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He grunted. “It’s hard to sleep when it feels like you’re dying of a heart attack for a week.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Why didn’t you tell me how bad it was?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Because then you would have driven a day to come see me and you were in the middle of a case. Anyhow, it doesn’t matter. We’re here, we’re all fine, and no one feels like they’re dying anymore.” He kissed his mate again. “I promise.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And now that he was fine, he was reminded he hadn’t eaten since the night before.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Are you hungry?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt nodded. “I could definitely use a steak and a beer.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther smiled. “Good, because I’m starving.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Huney buzzed. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Me too.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt scoffed. “You ate a whole packet of honey on the plane.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And now, I want another one. Take me out for supper, boys.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luther grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Huney settled on the Fae’s shoulder. Matt closed the door and laced his fingers with his as they started walking to the resort.</span></p><br /></span><br /><br /></div><div><span>So, there you go! Click <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Crimson-Moon-Hideaway-Sweet-Huney-ebook/dp/B09QB2K689/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1KUBZC2KUXGTM&keywords=mireille+chester&qid=1645675705&s=digital-text&sprefix=mireille+chester%2Cdigital-text%2C229&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">HERE</span></a> to see what happens next!</span></div>Mireillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958225752322706613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1125729123080137595.post-89779879405168583962022-02-23T19:30:00.001-08:002022-02-23T19:30:12.455-08:00Author Spotlight: Ryan Southwick <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>Spotlighting one of our sixteen awesome authors and their story: Ryan Southwick brings you Dragon Assassin - keep scrolling for an interview with Ryan about his story and himself!</div><div><br></div><div>About The Story</div><div>- What do you find interesting about your main characters?</div><div>So many things! Charon is a half-dragon shifter which, strangely, just scratches the surface of her character. Her subspecies is water dragon. In this universe, water dragons can produce a variety of chemicals from their body. Charon has adapted that into her assassin profession by becoming an expert poisoner. Instead of flashy assassinations, she goes for low profile, no violence. Not that she can’t take care of herself in a fight, of course. =]</div><div>Personality-wise, she’s an outcast, so despite her higher-than-average age, she’s reclusive and socially awkward. This proves a challenge when bigger-than-life Adan comes into the picture and forces her to flex muscles she’s never had to before.</div><div>- Where does the story take place and why did you choose this setting?</div><div>There are three primary locations, but I’ll only cover the first two to avoid spoilers. ;-)</div><div>The first is Los Angeles. LA is great because it has a variety of activities, interesting people, glorious beaches (perfect for a water dragon), and a Hollywood culture that pleasantly contrasts with the protagonist’s awkward personality.</div><div>The second is Vienna. I wanted someplace different but classy. I had the good fortune to spend a few days in Vienna with some friends on our way to Armenia (which is a whole different experience). I remember being struck by the ancient beauty of the place, and how wonderful it was to just walk around the city and get lost in all the history. And, of course, the terrific food. I wanted to bring some of that to my readers. Thankfully, the location happened to fit the story. Win-win!</div><div>- Share a little about the story behind the story.</div><div>A story about a dragon assassin who falls in love with another assassin is an idea I’ve been kicking around for years. I loved the idea of a cocky young guy thinking he’s the bee's knees, getting his butt saved repeatedly by a shy yet highly experienced creature of legend. When the Born of Shadows and Magic box set came along with a hybrid / PNR theme, I knew it was finally time to bring this one to life. I also wanted to try my hand at something steamier than I’ve written in the past. This box set was the perfect excuse. Not sure if I’ll ever write something as steamy as Dragon Assassin again, but it was a great experience.</div><div>- What is the theme or takeaway you want readers to think about?</div><div>Humans are strange and varied beasts. We’re all the same species, yet what we experience within our individual shells can be vastly different. It’s easy to forget that the person sitting next to you, who may be acting odd, might not see things or experience the world anywhere close to how you do. Charon and Adan’s tale takes this to an extreme, but I hope it serves as a reinforcement for readers to think twice before judging and try to approach everyone from a stance of empathy. The world would be a much kinder place if we all did.</div><div><br></div><div>About The Author</div><div>- When did you know you wanted to be an author?</div><div>About three-quarters the way through writing my first book, Angels in the Mist. I was reading a (particularly badly written) urban fantasy novel one day and suddenly thought, “Hey, I think I can do this.” It was very slow going at first; completing a single chapter took months. But by the end of the book, I had really found my groove and was really enjoying it.</div><div>It would take another five years, dozens of edits, and several more books to become even passably good, but it was during that first book that the writing bug sanks its fangs into my neck and turned me into its helpless thrall.</div><div>- Favorite animal?</div><div>Tiger. Always had a weakness for tigers. Such powerful, beautiful creatures.</div><div>- If you could travel to any spot in the world, where would it be?</div><div>As part of my day job, I’ve traveled many times to Armenia, and I feel like my second family is there. I would love to visit there again. Wonderful people, food, history, and culture. Hopefully soon.</div><div>- What’s next in your writing?</div><div>Two big things! I’m working to finish The Z-Tech Chronicles science fiction / urban fantasy series. Book 4, Angels Found, will be coming out in the first half of this year (2022). It will be a six-book series. The good news is that the rest are already written; they’re just waiting in line for edits at the publisher.</div><div>Second is a new science fiction / dystopian series called the Timeless Keeper Saga. Book 1, Holtondome, will be coming out hot on the heels of Z-Tech Book 4, and I’m already halfway done with Book 2. Good stuff a-coming!</div><div><br></div><div>Social media links:</div><div>Linktree: https://linktr.ee/RyanSouthwick</div><div>Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryansouthwick</div><div>TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryansouthwickauthor</div><div>Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ryansouthwickauthor</div><div>Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ryansunbreakablegods</div><div>Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17971367.Ryan_Southwick</div><div>Amazon Author Page: https://amazon.com/author/ryansouthwick</div><div>BookBub: https://allauthor.com/profile/ryansouthwick</div><div>YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwT-YCTwTu2ryxwydb9WyHA</div><div>AllAuthor: https://allauthor.com/author/ryansouthwick</div><div>Twitter: https://twitter.com/RyanSouthwick</div>Mireillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958225752322706613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1125729123080137595.post-70903391184424425582022-02-15T07:58:00.000-08:002022-02-15T07:58:52.965-08:00Late to Love release day! First three chapters of Yours Always, Mason!<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3ER2bCrPoAyWrBqT-qo82Q2QadMH8VKwJbrod-VLDSpLHVeG-y3dZfXLSuRYxV6o4lQ6wSO8K_YwjDGPQZZ8L1kWgxPE9Obz8bWg3m6u_Sxjxp9vjQ16mSz6FOEu6dpKKbYmR4gEwYp5y0AcBLz4zebnOFWa14FhSTuMeOmOST9KzqcomHkbk2utULA=s3840" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3ER2bCrPoAyWrBqT-qo82Q2QadMH8VKwJbrod-VLDSpLHVeG-y3dZfXLSuRYxV6o4lQ6wSO8K_YwjDGPQZZ8L1kWgxPE9Obz8bWg3m6u_Sxjxp9vjQ16mSz6FOEu6dpKKbYmR4gEwYp5y0AcBLz4zebnOFWa14FhSTuMeOmOST9KzqcomHkbk2utULA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You guys! I am so excited to be a part of this project. Finding a way to help out a friend is always a good feeling. When I heard a member of the book community had found out she had cancer and would need to undergo treatment, many of us had the same thought: we wanted to help. Since Teri's favorite trope is 'second chance', we thought an anthology filled with second chances was the way to go. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Late to Love is a charity anthology with all proceeds going directly to</span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/teampink4teri?__eep__%3D6%26__gid__%3D324612989361087%26__cft__%5B0%5D%3DAZXl5_ymqgYBaZJlNipD8DaFNdGFe8bQMqYV4qWRPkJMP_8jQTGmPcVmrFOcUgLR-lDP5O_5RH2ULY66kXu6AwN_RH5tzfTkqJHiTbZMOHFm5VQsuvn37l7H_fxxBYFr_zpYyDFzDSlU4qIHbLCZBrhjZwo9zgXGEfzSQdfeOFX3MNQILX2Y7Rdb_kaocGy0Law%26__tn__%3D*NK-R&source=gmail&ust=1645022224160000&usg=AOvVaw1vp82O1Cz0RlEk5qqrOHaw" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/teampink4teri?__eep__=6&__gid__=324612989361087&__cft__[0]=AZXl5_ymqgYBaZJlNipD8DaFNdGFe8bQMqYV4qWRPkJMP_8jQTGmPcVmrFOcUgLR-lDP5O_5RH2ULY66kXu6AwN_RH5tzfTkqJHiTbZMOHFm5VQsuvn37l7H_fxxBYFr_zpYyDFzDSlU4qIHbLCZBrhjZwo9zgXGEfzSQdfeOFX3MNQILX2Y7Rdb_kaocGy0Law&__tn__=*NK-R" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">#Teampink4Teri</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">24 authors have banded together over the love of a friend beginning her battle with cancer to bring you this limited edition anthology.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">From cowboys to werewolves to veterans, there is a story for everyone. Just remember, after every perceived failure, there’s a second chance waiting.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Fans of happily ever afters will devour this anthology of more than 24 standalone romances.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Each unique story in the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Late to Love: A Second Chance Romance Charity Anthology </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">guarantees a swoon-worthy book boyfriend and a happily ever after that fans of </span><span style="font-family: "Playfair Display", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Melanie Harlow, Corinne Michaels, and Nicole Ellis </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">are sure to enjoy!</span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">#secondchance #latetolove </span></span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/teampink4teri?__eep__%3D6%26__gid__%3D324612989361087%26__cft__%5B0%5D%3DAZXl5_ymqgYBaZJlNipD8DaFNdGFe8bQMqYV4qWRPkJMP_8jQTGmPcVmrFOcUgLR-lDP5O_5RH2ULY66kXu6AwN_RH5tzfTkqJHiTbZMOHFm5VQsuvn37l7H_fxxBYFr_zpYyDFzDSlU4qIHbLCZBrhjZwo9zgXGEfzSQdfeOFX3MNQILX2Y7Rdb_kaocGy0Law%26__tn__%3D*NK-R&source=gmail&ust=1645022224160000&usg=AOvVaw1vp82O1Cz0RlEk5qqrOHaw" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/teampink4teri?__eep__=6&__gid__=324612989361087&__cft__[0]=AZXl5_ymqgYBaZJlNipD8DaFNdGFe8bQMqYV4qWRPkJMP_8jQTGmPcVmrFOcUgLR-lDP5O_5RH2ULY66kXu6AwN_RH5tzfTkqJHiTbZMOHFm5VQsuvn37l7H_fxxBYFr_zpYyDFzDSlU4qIHbLCZBrhjZwo9zgXGEfzSQdfeOFX3MNQILX2Y7Rdb_kaocGy0Law&__tn__=*NK-R" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">#Teampink4Teri</span></a></span></p><p><span style="background-color: black;"><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">★★<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://books2read.com/b/bMwPP7&source=gmail&ust=1645022224160000&usg=AOvVaw3G2FZpZQejrnXMESKZiis0" href="https://books2read.com/b/bMwPP7" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://books2read.com/b/<wbr></wbr>bMwPP7</a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">★★</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here's a look at the first three chapters of my story! Yours Always, Mason is the first book in my new Yours Always series that is in the works. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 5.65pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">PROLOGUE</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5a1325da-7fff-7776-da32-6a756613f2db"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ronnie</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqFruFQi1ijT_BvWux135JXDD0DLcbaiOH3vfX298e3LPaN6AWtTwiIs68Zdfo3DMVkY-RoUIduxxxPo0RXaynlwNxt5nkRxM06coWXOsHFefe6EU5jtp-UiKA0If55p3ZVVeiXy-loqMhJvolgwpQ_FUBpGzjXR9ia75YKOCzAtHXfru0PVv5JDIF5g=s3204" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3204" data-original-width="2216" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqFruFQi1ijT_BvWux135JXDD0DLcbaiOH3vfX298e3LPaN6AWtTwiIs68Zdfo3DMVkY-RoUIduxxxPo0RXaynlwNxt5nkRxM06coWXOsHFefe6EU5jtp-UiKA0If55p3ZVVeiXy-loqMhJvolgwpQ_FUBpGzjXR9ia75YKOCzAtHXfru0PVv5JDIF5g=w276-h400" width="276" /></a></div><br />“Ronnie! Are you ready?” My mom’s voice echoed up the stairs.</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Not yet! Just ten more minutes!” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I glanced in the mirror for the millionth time. The pale blue dress was floor length, the sandles were strappy and black... I’d gotten my hair curled into perfect dark brown ringlets that reached the middle of my back. Simple was best. I applied some dark brown waterproof mascara around my light hazel eyes and an extra coat of clear lip-gloss. Perfect.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Ronnie! Mason is here!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Perfect. I wanted to see his face when I came down the stairs. It didn’t matter that we’d been dating since the seventh grade. Mason’s smile when I came into view was a constant in my life. It never failed.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So many people had told us it wouldn’t last. I was captain of the volleyball team; he was captain of the chess team. Why didn’t I date a jock? Why didn’t he go out with one of the other nerds? One of my friends had compared us to Jughead and Veronica. But it didn’t matter, because we were best friends; had been since we were four and my family moved next to his. And besides, this was real life. This wasn’t a movie where the jock chick was drop dead gorgeous and the nerd boy was all awkward with bucked teeth and glasses. I was actually the ones who wore glasses. Thick ones too. Contacts were the best invention ever. And Mason? Mason could have modelled underwear and made a killing. Those natural dark brown curls, those light green eyes... and that ass.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I grinned. That ass belonged to me and I couldn't wait to see it in a tux.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m coming!” I called out. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tonight would be a night to party it up with our friends and say goodbye to grade twelve. Summer was going to be the usual with summer jobs and campfires. In the fall, we were heading to university. I was going to be a teacher and he was going to be a computer analyst. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I admit, I did the whole cliché walk down the stairs for a big reveal. But it wasn’t Mason who was shocked. It was me when my eyes found him at the bottom of the stairs, his eyes glued to the ground.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I stopped midway down the stairway and frowned. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Mason? Why aren’t you dressed?” I wasn’t mad. I was worried. Changing plans without letting me know was not something Mason Trenton did. Ever.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He looked up at me, his eyes red, and my heart dropped.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What’s wrong? What happened?” I looked from him to my mom who shrugged and shook her head, her eyes showing she was just as confused and worried as me.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Can I...” He ran his hands through those amazing curls and cleared his throat. “Can I talk to you?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The excited butterflies in my stomach turned to nervous ones.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I nodded.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He held his hand out to me and I took it, letting him lead me across the street to the park.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sitting on the play structure, he kept his eyes on his knees. Tear drops fell on his jeans leaving dark blue spots in their wake. I put my hand on his knee, scared.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His hand covered mine, his other arm brushing across his face. “I have to go,” he whispered.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t understand.” I swallowed hard.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“My family. We’re moving.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My chest started to hurt. “What? Why?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He shook his head. “They weren’t going to let me say goodbye.” He glanced back at our houses. “But I couldn’t just leave and not tell you.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Mason. What’s going on?” My tears were flowing just as freely as his and he reached up to wipe them away.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m not allowed to say.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“When will you be back?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He shook his head.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Never?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His silence was answer enough.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well, where are you going? You need to phone me when you get there!” Sobs shook my whole frame.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I can’t.” His arms wrapped around me held me close. I returned the embrace, needing to feel him while I tried to process what was happening.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t understand,” I whispered.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Mason!” We both looked back at the sound of his dad’s voice.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I have to go.” He dug into his pocket. “I... I was going to give you this tonight. You know. Just a promise that I’ll always love you.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He pressed something into my hand and closed my fist around it. His lips found mine. The kiss was urgent, rough, desperate.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He pulled away, leaving me breathless and reeling.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’ll always love you.” His voice broke. “I’m so sorry, Ronnie.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And with that, he jumped off the play set and sprinted to his family’s SUV which was waiting on the street. I watched him punch the door before opening it, his fist leaving a dent.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I didn’t notice the rain start to fall as the vehicle swallowed him whole. I didn’t notice my mom running toward me as the SUV drove away. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I watched the taillights disappeared around the corner before looking down at the perfect silver band with the green gemstone in my hand. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yours Always, Mason; </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">he’d gotten it engraved.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My stomach heaved and I doubled over, my stomach emptying in the sand.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CHAPTER ONE</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ronnie</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 5.65pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Now, class! Who can tell me what six plus two equals?” I grinned as eager hands shot into the</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /> air. “Jacob!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Is it eight, Miss Regnier?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It IS eight, Jacob! Good job!” I clapped and the rest of the class followed suit. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The bell rang and all the kids put their books away before getting ready to head home. I stood at the door and waved goodbye as everyone left.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With a sigh, I went back to my desk and got my things ready for Monday. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My phone vibrated one quick vibration and I dug it out of my purse.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nel: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Are you out of there, yet?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I laughed at my phone. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No. Jesus, the bell just rang. School still lets out at 3:20 just like it did ten years ago.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nel: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, hurry your ass up and get to my place. I already opened a bottle of wine!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I grinned. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Okay. I’m running home to change then I'll be right there.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A knock on my door had me looking up into Tim Aston’s dark brown eyes. I managed to hold in my groan. Now, don’t get me wrong, the sixth-grade teacher was hot. He’d also slept with most of the other female staff, even some of the married ones. I was pretty sure I was the last one to hold out since he’d been getting persistent about going on a date the past few weeks. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Hey, Tim.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He gave me a half smile which had been kind of sexy at first. Now it was just getting to be creepy. “So, any big plans tonight?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Actually, yeah. Girl’s night.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Feel like some company?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I raised an eyebrow. “Not unless you magically turned into a woman.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The muscles in his jaw ticked.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I have to go. See you on Monday.” I slung my purse over my shoulder the closed the door as I walked past him.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Well, if you change your mind...”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I won’t!” I called back over my shoulder. “Ever,” I grumbled under my breath.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My thumb automatically found the ring on my right ring finger like it did every other time I got stressed. Considering that ring was a representation of the most devastating day of my life it was sort of strange how the movement calmed me.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Getting in my jeep, I tossed my purse on the passenger side before starting it up and heading home. Once there, I put on a red flowing top with spaghetti straps and a pair of dark blue jeans. Looking through my shoes, I settled on some dark grey wedged sandals.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Flipping my head upside down, I added a bit of hairspray to keep the bounce and finished off the look with a second coat of mascara and sheer lip-gloss.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I picked up my phone. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Are you home or did you walk over already?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Picking up the mail I’d brought in, I leafed through it while I waited for her answer. Bill, bill, junk... an envelope with my address handwritten on it caught my attention. Taking a deep breath, I opened it. My heart dropped and yet I sighed in relief as a thank you note fell out for a donation I’d given to a local charity.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not a letter from a ghost.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nel: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m at the bar. Britt text to say she was already here.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ok. I’m leaving the house. I’ll be there in five.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Grabbing my ID and bank card, I put them in my pocket then left my apartment, walking toward the bar.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“RONNIE!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I glanced around, trying to pinpoint where Nel and Britt were screaming my name from. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Hey!” I sat down, glad the girls had already ordered me a drink. I took a sip of my beer and sighed. “How was your day?” I asked over the music. I loved this bar. There was no DJ, no band, just a jukebox. The best thing about this jukebox was the music selection. There was everything on there. It made for fun and varied nights.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Britt rolled her eyes. “I swear, if I have to listen to one more asshole tell me how to change the oil on their car, I might just kill someone.” She shook her head wildly, her tight black curls bouncing around her. Her dark skin was flushed, either from the alcohol or anger. I was going to go with both. “Like seriously. You bring your car to a mechanic to get the oil changed and when you see it’s a woman going under the hood, you decide you know how to do my fucking job? I can’t wait until Roger’s is rebuilt from the fire so I can leave this drive through oil place. Then I can go back to working away from idiot eyes.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She scoffed and took a long pull from the straw in her rum and seven. “Assholes.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nel and I repeated the word, agreeing.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“My day was fine,” started Nel. Her blond hair was short and spiked, her light blue eyes rimmed by layers of black eyeliner. “Work was good. We shut down early because it was slow. Then I got home and remembered my wife fucking cheated on me, so it was a little downhill from there.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She smiled as we each put a hand on her arms. “Thanks. But now? Now, I am fucking fantastic! Because I am here with my girls, and we are going to dance the night away!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Woooooooo!” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We all lifted our drinks and gulped them down as the next round showed up.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nel cocked her head at me. “And you?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I smiled. “Good. The kids were all angels today.” My mind flashed to the mail.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Britt’s brow creased. “What?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I shook my head. “It’s nothing. I just had a moment.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nel put a hand on mine, not needing an explanation.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I was opening the mail. There was a handwritten letter. I thought... How is it that ten years later I’m still so fucked up about it. Like, I wanted it to be from him saying, ‘hey! I’m back!’. And then, on the other hand, I’m still so pissed I’m pretty sure I’d hit him if I ever did see him again.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Britt took my other hand. “He was a part of you for fourteen years, Hun. He was your best friend. The love of your life. Of course, you still miss him.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nel nodded. “That doc you were seeing said it would take time.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I sighed. “I know. And I try not to think about it, but very once in a while, I can just see him, living his best life, everything perfect... and I’m not a part of that.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nel grunted. “Repeat to me what else the doc said.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Not to try and visualize what his life is like because I have no idea.” My heart dropped. “For all I know, he’s not even alive anymore.” The thought nearly brought tears to my eyes. God, I was a mess, flying from one end of the emotional spectrum to the next when it came to Mason. Stupid thank you note. I’d barely thought about him for over a month and here I was again. The worst part was the not knowing.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Taking a deep breath, I took a drink and smiled. “Tonight, we’re going to bitch out misogynist men, get over cheating wives, and forget about long lost boyfriends.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My friends grinned and agreed.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Britt frowned. “Ronnie, did you invite that gorgeous teacher friend of yours?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I... what? No!” I looked back at the entrance and groaned. “What the hell! He tried to invite himself along and I said no. I didn’t even tell him where we were going.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The chair beside me scraped back and that creepy half grin was in my face.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Ronnie! Fancy meeting you here!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I raised an eyebrow, not bothering to hide any of my annoyance at his presence. “How did you find us?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What? No! I just happen to like this bar.” His good humor started to falter as my frown turned to a glare. “Fine. I asked Teri where you like to hang out. In my defense, I asked her two weeks ago.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I told you it was a girl’s night. I told you you weren’t invited.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Right. But now I’m here, so.... why don’t we have a drink? I’m sure your friends would love me!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nel scoffed. “I’m a lesbian.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He turned his attention to Britt.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m straight, but right now, I really fucking hate men. So, no.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I shrugged. “Sorry. This is a no men’s allowed table.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I almost felt bad for him as he stood, clearly displeased, and headed to sit at the bar.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Britt leaned forward. “Okay. I know you said he was getting pushy and creepy, but what the hell!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nel nodded. “That’s starting to hover near the stalker line.” She looked towards the bar and gave a slight shake of her head. “Did you guys notice there’s a couple of guys with earpieces in? Do you see anyone important?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I glanced around. “What? Where? They’re probably just on Bluetooth or something. No one important comes here.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yeah. You’re probably right. One more thing... your stalker is pounding drinks like they’re saving his life, so you’re coming to my house tonight. I don’t need him following you home.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Awww, I love you too,” I answered, grateful for the two women in front of me.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some older song with a good beat came on and we got onto the dance floor. I was having a blast, the stress of the work week washing away in sweat and booze.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Until I felt a pair of hands wrap around my waist and pull me to the chest attached to them. I pushed away and turned.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Tim! What the hell! I said I’m not interested!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh, come on. I’ve seen how you look at me!” He was starting to slur.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I look at you like you’re my coworker. I do not want to date you!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">People on the dance floor had stopped dancing and were watching. My girls stood at my back, ready to give whatever kind of support I needed.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Who says I want to date you. I just figured you’d be a good lay,” he mumbled as he reached for my arm.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before I could react, he was screaming in pain, his arm twisted at an uncomfortable angle behind his back. I watched, stunned, as a pair of cuffs snapped around his wrists.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The lady said no.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The voice slapped into me, and I forgot to breathe. I knew that voice. It was deeper and a little gruffer, but I knew that voice. My eyes snapped to the man who had come to my rescue. Those light green eyes met mine and I swallowed hard.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Mason?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He licked his lips in the exact same way he used to do when he was nervous all those years ago.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All those years ago...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anger flared. Where had he been all this time? What the hell was he doing here now? Why was he wearing an earpiece? And, oh my god! Did he know what he’d done to me when he’d left?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ten years of pain, heartache, fear and worry came to a head in that instant.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Ronnie, I...”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whatever he’d been about to say stuck in his throat. I pushed him back with all my strength. Jesus, he’d gotten taller. And thicker. And...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Ronnie, stop.” He tried to grab my wrists, but even I could tell he wasn’t trying very hard. He just let me hit him, over and over.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The body wrenching sobs were back. The ones that had kept me in bed for months after he’d disappeared. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Dude? You good?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I barely registered the other man now standing beside Mason.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mason nodded, his eyes never leaving me. “Ronnie, you can keep beating on me all you want, but let’s do this outside before someone here decides you need a night in the drunk tank.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was so focused on hitting him, I didn’t notice we were making our way out of the bar until we were standing in the night air.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My hands hurt. My arms hurt. My heart hurt.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All my emotions collided with the adrenaline. My stomach heaved and I puked.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All over Mason.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CHAPTER TWO</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mason</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I sat on Ronnie’s couch in my boxers and t-shirt, waiting for my pants to dry in her dryer. Her two friends sat across from me, glaring daggers. Bear and Pointer stood off to the side, clearly enjoying my misery. So much for brothers sticking together. Traitors.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“She’s been in there an hour,” whispered the blonde to the other girl. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There hadn’t been any introductions and any time I opened my mouth to try and make conversation, one of them cut me off and told me to zip it.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was a knock on the door and Bear let in our fourth. Pen walked into the room and took in the scene. She grinned.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhT6XAtM453d-NFamddjua5MtOOghx_1UzYNneT2ksSE-ch8mrUbspizTLuuFhDfoVLh7b3BofAvB0XCCKA3p7yRpNKnxaeX2NQ4qZq62SaEeXeC3bDEYqp5HTbU8uU-lel7JKnOQkrG2JN8q69Sr-EkJLAF2IdL32IrXxnIx3s5WJFCdzKP0OuSofvYQ=s1080" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhT6XAtM453d-NFamddjua5MtOOghx_1UzYNneT2ksSE-ch8mrUbspizTLuuFhDfoVLh7b3BofAvB0XCCKA3p7yRpNKnxaeX2NQ4qZq62SaEeXeC3bDEYqp5HTbU8uU-lel7JKnOQkrG2JN8q69Sr-EkJLAF2IdL32IrXxnIx3s5WJFCdzKP0OuSofvYQ=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Cute outfit,” she teased. She shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Pervert is at the police station. There were enough witnesses that it was a non-issue. I didn’t even have to bat my eyelashes at the cop.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bear grunted which was his usual form of communication. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What? I could bat my eyelashes if I felt like it!” Pen grinned and brushed the long red hair out of her face, her grey eyes sparkling. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She went to stand by Bear and Pointer. As always, she looked tiny beside them. Most things did. Topping out at 6 foot 5 inches, the identical twins were a wall of muscle with short black hair and dark brown eyes.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Much to the dismay of Ronnie’s friends, Pen helped herself to the fridge and pulled out enough beers for everyone.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Since tonight was a bust, we might as well take a break,” she announced.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I shook my head as she offered me one. I needed to talk to Ronnie. Standing, I was quickly flanked by her friends.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I need to talk to her.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The blond grunted. “You had ten years to talk to her, Mason.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My name rolled over her tongue and I realized I knew her. In high school she’d been the funny girl everyone got along with. She’d moved to town in grade five. Ronnie had immediately dubbed her her best friend. She’d lost a lot of weight, the hair was different, the makeup...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Nel.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh. You do remember me.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Of course, I remember you.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She raised an eyebrow at me. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Fine. It took me a minute but come on. You look nothing like you did ten years ago.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yeah, well, it’s amazing how accepting yourself can improve your mental and physical health.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I waited to see if she was going to elaborate. Instead, she glanced at the bedroom door.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You fucking destroyed her when you left.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I swallowed hard. “I know.” I cleared my throat. “I need to tell her what happened.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Why now? What’s it going to change?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“She’ll know I didn’t want to leave her. She’ll know it had nothing to do with her. I was a kid, Nel. I didn’t have choice.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You could have told her why.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No. I couldn’t. But I can now.” I closed my eyes and blew an exasperated breath out of my nose. “Nel, please.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I glanced at the other woman in front of me. This one I was positive I didn’t know. “I’ll go in. If she kicks me out, I’m out.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Nel...”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Britt! What the hell? United front, man!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Britt glanced from me to Nel. “Look, I wasn’t there for the immediate carnage, but I still helped pick up the pieces when we all met a year later.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her statement nearly killed me. A year later? She’d still been a mess after all that time?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I say let him go,” Pen piped up. “She’s not the only one who’s a mess over what happened. You might be friends with her, but we’re friends with him. And what happened fucked him up pretty good.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nel’s hesitancy slipped a notch.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Please.” My chest tightened and I took a few deep breaths to keep a mess of emotions from bubbling up. Losing my shit right now was not going to help my case.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Nel.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everyone looked at Ronnie who was standing in the doorway. If I’d had trouble breathing before, the ability to suck in a breath completely disappeared that instant. She'd changed into a plain black t-shirt and red checkered pajama pants. Her hair was still down, the long dark waves falling around her shoulders. She’d taken out her contacts and was wearing her glasses. Those amazing hazel eyes met mine and it took everything in me not to rush over to her and crush her to me.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s okay, Nel. He can come in.” The statement was so quiet, I wasn’t sure I’d heard it before she turned and disappeared back into the bedroom.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I froze. I’d thought about this moment almost every waking moment in the past ten years. Hell, I even dreamed about it. But now, the moment was here. There were no more hypotheticals, no more being able to reword things if they came out wrong...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s now or never, Sneak.” Pen was watching me, all joking aside. “You’ve survived being shot and blown up. What’s the worst that could happen?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ronnie’s friends gawked at me.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The worst that could happen... that would be Ronnie not understanding. It would be her pushing me away... It would be her doing to me what I’d done to her all those years ago and disappearing. Because one look at her in that bar had been enough to destroy me all over again. Her telling me she couldn’t forgive me? I didn’t think I’d survive that.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-50671b69-7fff-9ebb-7c90-01a5c66e4610"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His fingers ran through the hair just behind my ear and I shivered.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How did he remember exactly where to touch me after all this time? Because he was Mason. Because this was the kid who had done research on how to make a woman come before our first time because he hadn’t wanted me to be disappointed.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m not asking you for more than you’re ready for. I’m back, okay? I’m here. Whatever you want, however you want...”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My brain was telling me I was being an idiot for believing he wouldn’t break my heart again. My heart was trying to remind me it hadn’t been his fault he’d left. And my body? My body was starting to melt into his touch, wondering if after all this time he’d still do that thing with his tongue...</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 1pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ronnie</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 1pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ten years ago, he left me sitting in a park with no explanation. You can imagine my surprise when, out of the blue, he comes to my rescue in a small-town bar. Why is he back? Where has he been? And why do I still care?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 1pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mason</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 1pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 5.65pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ten years ago, I broke her heart and I couldn’t tell her why. When the dangers from my past come back to haunt her, it’s my worst nightmares come true. Ten years ago, I left to keep her safe. This time, I’m staying even if it might kill me.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Pick up your copy of Late to Love and Yours Always, Mason</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://books2read.com/b/bMwPP7" target="_blank">HERE</a><br /></span></span></div></span>Mireillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958225752322706613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1125729123080137595.post-86781218091795543532021-09-08T08:04:00.001-07:002021-09-08T08:12:38.136-07:00Happy "Yay you're alive!" Day!!<p> <span style="font-size: medium;">I wrote this post ten years ago. On one of the scariest and worst days of my life. On the day I thought I was going to lose my best friend, the love of my life. But it also turned into one of the best days of my life, right up there with when Anthony died and was brought back to us.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0C0yjQAdaSJ8lZEYDL0oc-GQfb9MlO9z6IaK1Y-CBaNF-_92n-_JZLMoIIphuvQ8VpQn-BLB66i5QMufKDkBEoDeeuK_aUm3N7xoIoURZ1lqeWQUKALflkzcyYgSUFzrsR_nbVJVIXDG/s1008/Resized_20210815_150341.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="756" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0C0yjQAdaSJ8lZEYDL0oc-GQfb9MlO9z6IaK1Y-CBaNF-_92n-_JZLMoIIphuvQ8VpQn-BLB66i5QMufKDkBEoDeeuK_aUm3N7xoIoURZ1lqeWQUKALflkzcyYgSUFzrsR_nbVJVIXDG/w300-h400/Resized_20210815_150341.jpeg" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />I couldn't imagine going through this messed up world without Kyle and I'll be forever grateful for every person who was involved that day, from the guys at the yard, the nurses, to paramedics, to doctors, and family and friends. A few surgeries since then, some other residual things because, well, crush injuries... I still wake up after all this time completely in awe that I got to keep him.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">So, here you go. The post I made to help me process what the hell had happened. lol</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Love you Be.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">There will never be enough words to let you know how much.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /><b>There Are No Words</b><br /><br />'I says, "Pig Pen, this here's the Rubber Duck.<br />"We just ain't a-gonna pay no toll."<br />So we crashed the gate doing ninety-eight<br />I says "Let them truckers roll, 10-4."<br /><br />I smile as my father-in-law's ring tone rings out of my cell. "Allo?"<br />"Hey. Are you home?"<br />I pull out the coffee pot out. "Yep. You coming for coffee?"<br />"Nope. I'll be there in a minute."<br />I reach for the tea kettle instead and true to his word, Ken is walking through my front door a minute later. He looks around the living room.<br />"Where are the kids?"<br />I gesture to the back yard.<br />"Mimi, I'm going to Saskatoon. Kyle's been in an accident."<br />I look at him blankly while this registers and I silently pray for the 'sike' I know isn't coming. "What?"<br />"Kyle's been in a bad accident."<br />"On the highway?" My heart drops and my chest tightens.<br />"No. In the NRT yard. I couldn't get a whole lot of details, but it sounds like he got hit by a truck."<br />Visions of Kyle being hit by a semi flash through my head.<br /><br />There are no words to describe how I feel. Shocked, devastated, scared, overwhelmed. These words will never accurately describe the feeling in the pit of my stomach. I fight back the tears so I won't scare the kids and grab my cell to let my dad know the tiny bit of information I have.<br />"Kids, come on!" I call out the window. "You guys are going to go play at Grandmere and Grandpere's!"<br />The kids whoop and holler and come running into the house. I remember the diaper bag and Anthony's seizure medication and that's it. As a last second thought, I call the dog to come along... I'm not sure why.<br /><br />My mom and dad are waiting for us on the front lawn. Dad pulls me into a hug.<br />"Are you going alone? Do you want me to come along?"<br />"Ken...." I start to break down and take a few deep breaths to compose myself before the kids can see. "I'm jumping in with Ken."<br />By then my father-in-law has pulled up behind me. I hand my mom the diaper bag.<br />"I... I think there's diapers in it. Anthony's pills are in there."<br />"Where are you going, mommy?"<br />I contemplate telling the kids their dad got run over by a truck and I come up blank on how to do it.<br />My mom hugs me. "Mommy and Papa have to do some running around." To me she says, "We'll wait till we know more, and we'll let them know then. Go. We'll worry about the kids."<br />I try to smile then run to Ken's truck, detour to my van, let the dog out, then head back to the truck.<br /><br />He fills me in on the news update he's gotten. (This is Kyle's rule, by the way. If anything happens to him, everyone is suppose to get a hold of his dad first, who is then in charge of telling me. I think it's supposed to make the bad news seem.... less bad? I don't know.) Knowing I'm about to lose it, I pick up my phone and call Kyle's best friend since he was, well, born; his cousin Sheldon.<br />"Hey, Mimi, how's it going?"<br />"I've been better. I'm on my way to Saskatoon. Kyle was in an accident. I'm not sure exactly, but it sounds like he was working under his trailer and when he slid out from under the trailer, a truck didn't see him and ran over him."<br />We're both quiet for a minute.<br />"I'm off till tomorrow," he says. "If you need anything..."<br />"I'll let you know. Thanks. As soon as I know more, I'll let you know."<br />And as we leave Prince Albert to go to Saskatoon, all I can think of is that at this moment, my husband is in an ambulance and on his way to the hospital.<br /><br />A half hour into our hour and a half ride (though it didn't take that long at the speed my father-in-law was driving) and no news later, I'm getting close to breaking down once again. Ken is either feeling the same way, or can see I need something to do.<br />"Do you have dispatch on your phone?" he asks. (He drives for NRT, too)<br />"No."<br />"Grab my phone and phone the bulk side."<br />I do as he says and am glad when Dale picks up the phone. I love his voice. It's deep and calm, and right now, it's just what I need.<br />"Hey, Dale, it's Mimi. Can you tell me what the hell happened?"<br />"We're not sure. All we know for sure is that somehow the tire truck pinned him to his trailer. We don't know why the kid driving didn't see him or the semi there, or anything like that, but we should be able to tell more once we look at the video more closely. What I can tell you is he was conscious when the ambulance took him away."<br />Tears fill my eyes because that right there is great news. One, he didn't get run over by a semi, he was pinned by a one ton. Yes, I realize that it's still not good news, but if I had to pick between a semi and a one ton to run over or hit me, I'd pick the one ton. And two, he's conscious."<br />"Do you know what part of him got pinned?"<br />"From what he told the cops and paramedics, its sounds like from the top of his chest to his knees."<br />I must make a noise because he rushes on. "But, Mimi, a few guys looked at the tape and say he was bent over when the truck rolled towards him. He stood up a fraction of a second before it pinned him."<br />The realization of that statement hits me and new tears fill my eyes. Had he not stood when he had, it wouldn't have been my father-in-law bringing me the news of my husband's accident. I take a deep breath and swallow hard a few times.<br />"Ok. Thanks Dale. I should be at the hospital in about an hour. I'll let you know how he is when I find out."<br />"K. Let him know we're all thinking about him."<br />I relay this information to Ken.<br />"Well," he says, "it's better than being run over by a semi."<br />We look at each other and start to laugh, because, well, it's better than crying.<br /><br />We finally get to the Royal University Hospital and head to emergency where we are met by another of Kyle's cousins who lives in Saskatoon and came to be with him so he wouldn't be alone. Billy gives me a hug.<br />"They won't tell me much cause I'm just his cousin, but he's getting a CT scan and x-rays done right now. I haven't seen him yet."<br />"Mimi!"<br />I turn and get a hug from Wendy, one of the secretaries at NRT.<br />"They're not telling me much either," she says, "even though when they asked who I was, Kyle told them I was his wife until his real wife got here."<br />I can't help but laugh. Leave it to Kyle to get pinned between two trucks and still joke around.<br />"What I can tell you is what I saw before they wheeled him away for his scans. He's having trouble breathing, so maybe some broken ribs, his right leg might be broken, and his left arm, but he's concious and he's joking."<br />A few minutes later, we watched as he gets wheeled by on his way to the room he's staying in. He's covered in blankets, he's wearing a neck brace, there are IV's and lines everywhere, and when the bed rolls over a small bump in the floor, I want to cry at the pain I can see he's in. I think there he is; the man I love, who I've been with for eleven years, been married to one month shy of eight. We've been through hell and back together, and he's lying there and there's nothing I can do for him. I kick my praying into high gear. Please, dear God, I can't do this without him. You can't take him away from me.<br /><br />A couple of hours later, Billy and Wendy have gone home and we've promised to phone should we need anything. Kyle's mom and sister are also at the hospital and we are still waiting for news. Karen, my sister-in-law, and Ken head to the NRT yard to go get his things from the truck. Marlene and I wait and try to keep Kyle as comfortable as possible while the nurses try to keep up with the overflow of patients.<br />Finally, two doctors walk into the room and look at my husband in amazement. The one holding the chart looks at me.<br />"You're his wife?"<br />I nod and he looks at his chart again.<br />"I'm sorry we took so long," he says, "but we were trying to find something wrong with him."<br />Everyone is quiet for a second and I finally find my voice.<br />"What?"<br />"Well, we did the CT scan and xrays, and there's nothing. Well, nothing major. But nothing like what we would usually see with this type of accident." He takes the neck brace off of Kyle and tilts the bed up so he can see. "You must be made of steel, Kyle."<br />Kyle catches his breath after the pain just sitting up has caused. He smirks. "Milk does the body good."<br />I'm still in shock, I think.<br />"So, here's what we found. You have torn ligaments in your knee, a small break in your elbow, and your ribs are bruised, but not cracked." He shakes his head. "Not one cracked rib. You'll be extremely sore for a while, the knee will take a long time to heal, but other than that..." He grins.<br />"So... he's fine?" I'm still sure I haven't heard right.<br />"He's fine. The man got pinned between two trucks and he's fine."<br />Now, when I prayed to God not to take my sweet away from me, I'd been willing to deal with paralyzed, missing limbs, anything, but this... this is a miracle.<br />"I'll go get you a brace and some crutches, and I'll be back."<br />"So he gets to go home?"<br />The doctor still looks just as shock as I feel. "You can take him home."<br /><br />"Mi, can I bug you one more time?"<br />I smile. "That's what I'm here for."<br />"Can I get a glass of water, please?"<br />I take Kyle his water and kiss him softly, then go back to the kitchen and start to cry. Tears of relief, tears of joy; tears of thanks. My sweet is home and well. He is in a lot of pain, he can barely move, and has to go see a surgeon about his knee on Tuesday, but he's here.<br />And for the millionth time today, I thank God for answering my prayers and throwing in his own miraculous twist in there for good measure.<br /><br />We still aren't sure what happened exactly, but I'm sure they'll figure it out with the investigation going on. Mostly, Kyle just remembers standing and getting pinned then pushing the truck off enough to get out. He then walked a short distance before declaring that he didn't feel good, and fell to the ground. Right now, I can honestly say I don't care. I'm just happy he's home. But for the sake of avoiding accidents like this again, I hope they find out what went wrong.<br /><br />To all of you who prayed for us that night and kept us in your thoughts, thank you. I will never be able to say it enough.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-XoThDv5AAJcTIgxx7s-zbCUf-R0HgOrGmcJZrAYiv8h0VwEVQEsgTnNCnTnNsO3PC07mxNO-9i0Qwb8DRcUOVPXl1OCPrCW_7bcBg6_33fHzmSvo4a-o1hNr8T3P77mYOoCaSUukN51/s1080/132610364_3653790501370179_4426905225626534947_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-XoThDv5AAJcTIgxx7s-zbCUf-R0HgOrGmcJZrAYiv8h0VwEVQEsgTnNCnTnNsO3PC07mxNO-9i0Qwb8DRcUOVPXl1OCPrCW_7bcBg6_33fHzmSvo4a-o1hNr8T3P77mYOoCaSUukN51/s320/132610364_3653790501370179_4426905225626534947_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Mireillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958225752322706613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1125729123080137595.post-58802775523867708992021-01-20T00:00:00.006-08:002021-01-20T00:00:01.095-08:00A Beast So Beautiful COVER REVEAL!<p><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;">A Beast So Beautiful by Carlyle Labuschene</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSbtSg7GIvP5KWBEChPR1HQ-oGCA7CAnl5L84Wp5CXwkG0c0EnyEVqxKQVZkujnD_dt_9F_OduADM-y6N84FaQ91uPBjv-zZe4QHXy_JtUUTcUynE8oxfix8tseZepxXZJxooDGs81ys8/s1350/131930089_496939511283316_138872093847116285_n+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSbtSg7GIvP5KWBEChPR1HQ-oGCA7CAnl5L84Wp5CXwkG0c0EnyEVqxKQVZkujnD_dt_9F_OduADM-y6N84FaQ91uPBjv-zZe4QHXy_JtUUTcUynE8oxfix8tseZepxXZJxooDGs81ys8/w426-h640/131930089_496939511283316_138872093847116285_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: "arial narrow", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: "arial narrow", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Blurb: </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: "arial narrow", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14px;">A darkness falls over the land when the Queen of Rurith dies.</span><br style="font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14px;">Consumed with grief, King Ivar blames their son, Prince Leif, for her demise, and locks him away in the castle.</span><br style="font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14px;">The Prince is left in total despair, until a girl, with hair the colour of a red sunset and green eyes shows him mercy.</span><br style="font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14px;">For six years she visits him in secret, giving him hope where none existed before.</span><br style="font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14px;">But Ruith hides many treacherous things that threaten to bring the Kingdom to its knees.</span><br style="font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14px;">Until the Prince and his beastly curse are released.</span> </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: "arial narrow", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEma0U3FYvDaZVXXsr_Je3X0NVXdmyc0E_jTKkGTqbQX5uhd9yHLWfHOYUjzLlOc1hH-ivhYsfg9Pmk8FamQayrYARLU1eo3_ght1M93MfBK-UZvwjZTy3-Lrz5fUMnUP8eRYPniBU56zH/s1595/mock-00054.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1595" data-original-width="1421" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEma0U3FYvDaZVXXsr_Je3X0NVXdmyc0E_jTKkGTqbQX5uhd9yHLWfHOYUjzLlOc1hH-ivhYsfg9Pmk8FamQayrYARLU1eo3_ght1M93MfBK-UZvwjZTy3-Lrz5fUMnUP8eRYPniBU56zH/w356-h400/mock-00054.png" width="356" /></a></div></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: "arial narrow", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: "arial narrow", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: Tinos; font-size: medium;"> </span>link</span> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Beast-so-Beautiful-Carlyle-LaBuschagne-ebook/dp/B08SQWBWFF/&source=gmail&ust=1610830858290000&usg=AFQjCNGhqMXHKjJScgeyImIXOq3-iNnkqw" href="https://www.amazon.com/Beast-so-Beautiful-Carlyle-LaBuschagne-ebook/dp/B08SQWBWFF/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/<wbr></wbr>Beast-so-Beautiful-Carlyle-<wbr></wbr>LaBuschagne-ebook/dp/<wbr></wbr>B08SQWBWFF/</a></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: "arial narrow", sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div><div data-smartmail="gmail_signature" dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="comic sans ms, sans-serif" style="color: #d5a6bd; font-size: x-small;"><i>"Dont be crippled by fear, let love give you wings"</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="comic sans ms, sans-serif" style="color: #d5a6bd; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>TETHERED A SUPERNATURAL THRILLER OUT NOW </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>grab it today! </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><img class="CToWUd" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgokF0TK39eARkhKNRZH2ai3uGEF1tRTGk_TTwuYHcu0r-Gvu71MGuLlzEMeDL8TCMsXkFI3pwcQu8xUs3PLjd2dxeZ9aiaGlruVqCJ4mKc4LhJXucVUBRjNDWj7SfvDA=w426-h640" width="426" /><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "arial narrow", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/carlyleL/&source=gmail&ust=1610830858291000&usg=AFQjCNHzRlxJId8snFyfwPjy95X9kBhHpw" href="https://www.facebook.com/carlyleL/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">facebook</a>. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.carlylelabuschagne.com/&source=gmail&ust=1610830858291000&usg=AFQjCNH48ELB_gGQrSTwbH4reQLfjCpDxQ" href="http://www.carlylelabuschagne.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">website</a>. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Carlyle-Labuschagne/e/B00CHZ2IWE/ref%3Dsr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid%3D1535525256%26sr%3D8-2&source=gmail&ust=1610830858291000&usg=AFQjCNF8Y5e4nhqiKVyUVs6O6k6uu7aCaw" href="https://www.amazon.com/Carlyle-Labuschagne/e/B00CHZ2IWE/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1535525256&sr=8-2" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">amazon</a>. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/CarlyleL&source=gmail&ust=1610830858291000&usg=AFQjCNHYN8jAKKrUU4faKo8TuXBf0r7RrQ" href="https://twitter.com/CarlyleL" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">twi<wbr></wbr>tter</a>. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/carlylelab/&source=gmail&ust=1610830858291000&usg=AFQjCNHzwZ0YtXG7t63poRN8G1P5SBaGtQ" href="https://www.instagram.com/carlylelab/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">instagram</a> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5180626.Carlyle_Labuschagne&source=gmail&ust=1610830858291000&usg=AFQjCNGVKOS8qSk7tpAmzxTVNZstnZaqlQ" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5180626.Carlyle_Labuschagne" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">goodreads </a></b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Mireillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958225752322706613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1125729123080137595.post-69251874746335458532020-12-07T22:00:00.001-08:002020-12-07T22:00:07.362-08:00Teaser Tuesday: Winning Paradise<p> Happy Tuesday, Sweetlings! Here are the first few chapters of Winning Paradise to help you escape Covid land. If you decide you need some more Nat and Gage in your life, click <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Crimson-Moon-Hideaway-Winning-Paradise-ebook/dp/B08JTKP39M/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=winning+paradise&qid=1600869870&sr=8-2" target="_blank">HERE</a> .</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaosODBPX7Rg2AmxP96zVUpao7Gxa7T7-mJF2J9hyI6vqor_BRbZrAkEa3cL3jRmPVy8IdxbyHWqv8x4UcWMhQdiiukxHkKgPiL1ftNQBaiKRctwLan0uZCov95JHtrt8Am9_TxY_4vU6W/s2048/Depositphotos_55943343_xl-2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaosODBPX7Rg2AmxP96zVUpao7Gxa7T7-mJF2J9hyI6vqor_BRbZrAkEa3cL3jRmPVy8IdxbyHWqv8x4UcWMhQdiiukxHkKgPiL1ftNQBaiKRctwLan0uZCov95JHtrt8Am9_TxY_4vU6W/w640-h426/Depositphotos_55943343_xl-2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Chapter One</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{368ca1b7-9cfb-4513-ac98-fb504332b544}{213}" paraid="625414625" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{368ca1b7-9cfb-4513-ac98-fb504332b544}{215}" paraid="1311168991" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Ladies and gentleman</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">, we will be starting our descent shortly.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">We ask that you please return you</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">r</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> seats</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and trays</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> to their upright position</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> at this time.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{368ca1b7-9cfb-4513-ac98-fb504332b544}{237}" paraid="867043542" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nat</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> followed the flight attendant’s instructions and tried to stretch in the little space </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> had stuck in the middle of two </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">MMA fighters</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Mark and Shawn</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">, identical twins with deep brown eyes and shaved heads,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> had been pleasant enough travel companions.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">On their way to a </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">fight</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">, they’d both been chatty and obviously excited to get to their destination.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> had started out sitting in the aisle as </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">requested, but</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> had quickly given up that seat to Mark who had admitted to being claustrophobic.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The relief on his face had been proof enough he hadn’t been lying.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{e91d7bec-fa3b-49e1-b095-e7367fffcf88}{28}" paraid="245331482" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Are you sure we can’t buy you a drink to say thanks for the seat swap once we land?”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Mark tightened his seatbelt and Shawn handed </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nat</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">hers</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> before doing </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">up his</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{e91d7bec-fa3b-49e1-b095-e7367fffcf88}{48}" paraid="919865910" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> shook </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> head.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I would have loved to, but I need to get to my hotel and check in.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">My winner’s letter had specific instructions to be there by two</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and I do not want to miss my chance to ride in a limo.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> instinctively glanced at </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> watch.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The butterflies in </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> stomach were starting to flitter about.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{e91d7bec-fa3b-49e1-b095-e7367fffcf88}{88}" paraid="572283201" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I can’t believe you just won a trip by answering a radio station quiz.”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Shawn grinned.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“That’s movie plot material.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{e91d7bec-fa3b-49e1-b095-e7367fffcf88}{100}" paraid="1589100361" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> laughed.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Yeah.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">My life is definitely not movie material.”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Well, maybe it was.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She just didn’t have the time or desire to tell them about it.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Certain things were better left untold.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{e91d7bec-fa3b-49e1-b095-e7367fffcf88}{126}" paraid="13915153" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nat</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">tucked strands of long dark brown hair behind </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> ears</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">, catching </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> breath as the plane touched down</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> on the runway</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She hated landing.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Landing was always the worst part.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">It didn’t matter how many </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">times </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">flew,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> always imagined the wheels breaking off on impact</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and the plane skidding sideways until the wings broke off and it rolled to a stop.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She’d seen it once in a movie when she was small and the horror that had implanted its</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">e</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">lf</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> into her six-year-old brain had refused to leave her.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{e91d7bec-fa3b-49e1-b095-e7367fffcf88}{186}" paraid="499693568" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">All right</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Quick s</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">e</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">lf</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">ie before we get off this thing, okay?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{e91d7bec-fa3b-49e1-b095-e7367fffcf88}{204}" paraid="356266352" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The brothers agreed and crowded in even more to get into the shot.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> sea green eyes were a huge contrast compared to their dark ones.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Most people who met </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> assumed </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> wore contacts.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">They were wrong.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{e91d7bec-fa3b-49e1-b095-e7367fffcf88}{232}" paraid="291926523" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Don’t forget to send that to us later when you have a minute.”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Shawn had given </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> both of their numbers </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">in case </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> found some time during </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> vacation to get a drink with them.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{e91d7bec-fa3b-49e1-b095-e7367fffcf88}{254}" paraid="778721301" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Mark nodded.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“And don’t forget.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">If you decide to come watch the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">fight</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">, tell them you’re with the Hanson brothers.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{f3cbbc8a-9e63-4ae0-9949-46f54c5561b7}{15}" paraid="1992785789" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Absolutely.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">You have my word.”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nat</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> was fairly certain </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> wasn’t going to have time to go see them.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She’</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">d won a six</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">-</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">night stay at the amazing five</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">-</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">star Crimson Moon Hideaway Resort and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> Elven ass wasn’t planning on leaving the magically hid</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">den</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> piece of heaven reserved strictly for magical folk.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Six days of not having to hide who and what she was.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">It seemed surreal.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{f3cbbc8a-9e63-4ae0-9949-46f54c5561b7}{63}" paraid="450746277" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The flight attendants had given t</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">he</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> okay for everyone to get off the plane and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">they</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> followed along until </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">they</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> found </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">them</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">selves at the baggage claim.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> stretched a proper stretch and shook out </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> legs. </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{f3cbbc8a-9e63-4ae0-9949-46f54c5561b7}{93}" paraid="675306249" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">I</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">t</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">’</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">s a good thing I</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">’m</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> only 5’3”, otherwise I’d b</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">e</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> dealing with some major leg cramps.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{f3cbbc8a-9e63-4ae0-9949-46f54c5561b7}{113}" paraid="183804783" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Pulling </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> good camera out of </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> carry on, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nat</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> motioned to the pair to get closer together so </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> could get a decent picture of them.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{f3cbbc8a-9e63-4ae0-9949-46f54c5561b7}{133}" paraid="837649405" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">More than one person stopped to watch as the twins goofed around while </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> snapped pictures of them. </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{f3cbbc8a-9e63-4ae0-9949-46f54c5561b7}{141}" paraid="583779371" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Taking a step back, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> shoulder exploded with pain and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> found </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">herself</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> falling, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">the</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> camera flying out of </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> hands.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> hip hit the hard </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">floor</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> slid a short distance. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Out of the corner of </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> eye, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> saw Shawn dive through the air, catching </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">the</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> camera before it fell to the ground.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> He was</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">quick for a big mountain of a man.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{f3cbbc8a-9e63-4ae0-9949-46f54c5561b7}{201}" paraid="9857166" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Jesus, lady.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Pay attention.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{f3cbbc8a-9e63-4ae0-9949-46f54c5561b7}{209}" paraid="1175597305" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nat</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> looked up and found</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">herself</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> staring at a </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">tall </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">man with </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">light blond</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> hair and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">blue</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> eyes</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> so </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">light</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> they were almost </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">white</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">A little more than a five o’clock shadow covered his jaw line. He’d have passed as damn good looking if he hadn’t </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">just knocked </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> on</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> ass</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> could sense the glamour coming off of him and knew instantly; </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Fae</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{e3fc7f29-bd97-4de1-b87f-760b35ae0b1d}{16}" paraid="836313069" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Typical,” </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> mumbled to </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">no one in particular</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{e3fc7f29-bd97-4de1-b87f-760b35ae0b1d}{28}" paraid="1732247456" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Dude.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">What the fuck.”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Mark picked </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> up and set </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> down as though </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she’</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">d been a bag of feathers.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{e3fc7f29-bd97-4de1-b87f-760b35ae0b1d}{52}" paraid="1820006749" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> body checker grabbed </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> bag off the ground and handed it </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">back</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’m going to be late.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{e3fc7f29-bd97-4de1-b87f-760b35ae0b1d}{70}" paraid="909799492" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nat</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> put a hand on Mark’s arm when he took a step to go after the quickly disappearing man.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Don’t worry about it.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">I’m </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">all right</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> took the camera from Shawn, thanking him.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{e3fc7f29-bd97-4de1-b87f-760b35ae0b1d}{94}" paraid="1282131411" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The brothers walked </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> to the airport exit where one of them flagged down a cab.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{e3fc7f29-bd97-4de1-b87f-760b35ae0b1d}{102}" paraid="763521160" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Are you sure you don’t need a ride?”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Shawn seemed so </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">worried</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> it was adorable.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{e3fc7f29-bd97-4de1-b87f-760b35ae0b1d}{116}" paraid="1835974861" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’m fine.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">There’s going to be someone picking me up </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">at the limo spot</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> gave them both hugs.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">It was crazy how attached </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she’</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">d gotten to them in just a few hours.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{e3fc7f29-bd97-4de1-b87f-760b35ae0b1d}{144}" paraid="766219953" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Mark tapped his phone with his finger.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Make sure you phone if you need anything.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{e3fc7f29-bd97-4de1-b87f-760b35ae0b1d}{152}" paraid="1605995947" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I will,” </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> promised, smiling.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{e3fc7f29-bd97-4de1-b87f-760b35ae0b1d}{160}" paraid="1028981378" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> heart fell as </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> watched their cab drive away.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{e3fc7f29-bd97-4de1-b87f-760b35ae0b1d}{170}" paraid="680554702" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“You’re an idiot,” </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> scolded </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">herself</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">It wasn’t the Hanson brothers </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> was so sad to see leave.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">It was </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> brothers.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{e3fc7f29-bd97-4de1-b87f-760b35ae0b1d}{200}" paraid="710894335" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The only girl in a set of triplets, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">’d always had a couple of overprotective bodyguards hovering around </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Even as adults, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> could always count on Stephen and Erik to have </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> back.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{e3fc7f29-bd97-4de1-b87f-760b35ae0b1d}{226}" paraid="1882362766" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nat</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> cleared </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> throat and pushed some </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">terrible</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> memories away.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Hiking </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> backpack over </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> shoulder, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> took a hold of </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> suitcase and started walking towards the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">limousines</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{72ba9818-0b8c-462b-a772-c19bbfe0e616}{9}" paraid="554776725" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The thought of riding in a limo for the first time in </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> whole </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">34</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> years lightened </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> mood.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> spotted one of the drivers with a sign with </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> name on it.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{72ba9818-0b8c-462b-a772-c19bbfe0e616}{35}" paraid="879181459" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He smiled as </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> approached.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Miss Natalie </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Greenleaf</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{72ba9818-0b8c-462b-a772-c19bbfe0e616}{51}" paraid="394818311" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nat</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> nodded.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Sorry I’m late.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{72ba9818-0b8c-462b-a772-c19bbfe0e616}{61}" paraid="1755118849" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Not a problem.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">We’ll get to the resort with plenty of time to spare.”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He took her luggage and placed it in the trunk before opening one of the doors on the long, sleek, white car.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Help </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">yourself</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> to refreshments.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{72ba9818-0b8c-462b-a772-c19bbfe0e616}{81}" paraid="669049545" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Thank you.”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> slipped into the vehicle and sat, surprised at the sight before </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The hot asshole who had run </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> over at the luggage pickup was sitting at the far end of the car, a beer in his hand. </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{72ba9818-0b8c-462b-a772-c19bbfe0e616}{103}" paraid="168108993" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Um, hi.” </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{72ba9818-0b8c-462b-a772-c19bbfe0e616}{107}" paraid="1727315170" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> raised an eyebrow at him.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Hi.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{72ba9818-0b8c-462b-a772-c19bbfe0e616}{117}" paraid="795915535" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I…” </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{72ba9818-0b8c-462b-a772-c19bbfe0e616}{121}" paraid="407910886" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">At least he had the decency to look embarrassed.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{72ba9818-0b8c-462b-a772-c19bbfe0e616}{127}" paraid="792178364" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’m sorry about before.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">I’ve never won a trip like this and I was worried I’d lose out if I was late.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{72ba9818-0b8c-462b-a772-c19bbfe0e616}{135}" paraid="1455443389" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> nodded.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I get that.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{72ba9818-0b8c-462b-a772-c19bbfe0e616}{145}" paraid="454524673" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I shouldn’t have been a dick.”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TabRun IPSelectionBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; display: inline-block; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; user-select: text; white-space: nowrap; width: 0px;"><span class="TabChar SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span><span aria-hidden="true" class="TabLeaderChars SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; display: inline-block; left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; user-select: none; white-space: pre !important;"></span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252,"469777462":[4090],"469777927":[0],"469777928":[1]}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{72ba9818-0b8c-462b-a772-c19bbfe0e616}{152}" paraid="660480431" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> couldn’t help but smile at his discomfort.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{72ba9818-0b8c-462b-a772-c19bbfe0e616}{158}" paraid="1877923089" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’m </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Luther</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{72ba9818-0b8c-462b-a772-c19bbfe0e616}{166}" paraid="1184042326" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Nat.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{72ba9818-0b8c-462b-a772-c19bbfe0e616}{170}" paraid="1382919483" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He gestured to the mini fridge beside him.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Want a drink?</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">There’s everything in there.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{72ba9818-0b8c-462b-a772-c19bbfe0e616}{182}" paraid="1799417846" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“A beer will do.” </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{72ba9818-0b8c-462b-a772-c19bbfe0e616}{186}" paraid="150510259" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He handed it to </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“You really do need to look where you’re going though.”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">His lopsided grin let </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> know he thought he was being cute and charming.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{72ba9818-0b8c-462b-a772-c19bbfe0e616}{208}" paraid="1004141788" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> scoffed and took the drink from him.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“And what were you doing that you just bowled me over like that?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{72ba9818-0b8c-462b-a772-c19bbfe0e616}{218}" paraid="369023965" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">His face turned red.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{72ba9818-0b8c-462b-a772-c19bbfe0e616}{222}" paraid="199010875" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Yeah.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">That’s right, buddy.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">You</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">r</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> hot and cocky look doesn’t work here.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> was on this trip to relax, not meet a potential mate.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{72ba9818-0b8c-462b-a772-c19bbfe0e616}{246}" paraid="480843466" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The small wi</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">n</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">dow between the cab and the back of the limo slid open.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{406a0deb-61fc-4287-864c-e24bdd337153}{1}" paraid="1470292426" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“The </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">ride should take us approximately forty-five minutes.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Should you need anything, simply let me know.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{406a0deb-61fc-4287-864c-e24bdd337153}{11}" paraid="1239331394" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nat</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> smiled and nodded as the window slid shut again.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{406a0deb-61fc-4287-864c-e24bdd337153}{17}" paraid="598532739" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Have you been to the Crimson Moon before?” inquired </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Luther</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{406a0deb-61fc-4287-864c-e24bdd337153}{25}" paraid="649243445" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> shook </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> head.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Never.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">I won this trip from the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Magick</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> Network.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">I was listening to the Stacey Kyle show.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{406a0deb-61fc-4287-864c-e24bdd337153}{51}" paraid="1553059040" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He grinned.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Me too!”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{406a0deb-61fc-4287-864c-e24bdd337153}{59}" paraid="1490464853" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Taking a sip of </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> beer, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">felt </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> phone buzz in </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> pocket.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> put it up to </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> ear.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Detective </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Greenleaf</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">, here.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{406a0deb-61fc-4287-864c-e24bdd337153}{99}" paraid="566193675" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> noticed </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Luther</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">’s eyebrows shoot up his face.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{406a0deb-61fc-4287-864c-e24bdd337153}{109}" paraid="1908716182" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Yes, Matt.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">I’m in the limo.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">You can quit worrying</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> that</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> I’m going to skip out on this vacation.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">You watched me get on the bloody plane.”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> laughed.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I know I’m quick, but fast enough to dodge out of a plane before </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">you </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">can see me, that’s a bit ridiculous even for your imagination.”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{406a0deb-61fc-4287-864c-e24bdd337153}{145}" paraid="817987293" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> partner grunted.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{406a0deb-61fc-4287-864c-e24bdd337153}{151}" paraid="141517376" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Now, stay out of trouble until I get home.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">I’ll be back in a week.”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{406a0deb-61fc-4287-864c-e24bdd337153}{161}" paraid="1482327988" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He hung up on </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> in his usual fashion.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Detective Matthew Cain was a </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">fifty-two-year-old</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">widower</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> who was dead set in his ways and fuck anyone who was bothered by it.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">It had taken a few years for him to warm up to </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> as his partner, but </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">they now</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> understood each other perfectly.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">At this point in </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> life, he was the closest thing </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> had to family.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{406a0deb-61fc-4287-864c-e24bdd337153}{207}" paraid="13974091" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“So, Matt is your boyfriend?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{406a0deb-61fc-4287-864c-e24bdd337153}{211}" paraid="375014713" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Work partner.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{406a0deb-61fc-4287-864c-e24bdd337153}{215}" paraid="1112915897" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Luther</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> nodded thoughtfully.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“So, does he know….”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{406a0deb-61fc-4287-864c-e24bdd337153}{225}" paraid="1640273283" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nat</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> shook </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> head.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“No.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Of course, he didn’t know </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> was an </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Elf</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">It was probably the only thing the man didn’t know about </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">But the rules were strict and this one was more important than all of them </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">when it ca</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">me</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> to the supernatural in this world.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Humans couldn’t find out about </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">the paranormal</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Quite frankly, the</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">y</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> just couldn’t accept the possibility that they weren’t the only species at the top of the food chain.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Did it</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> sometimes</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> happen that one of them found out?</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">It did.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">When that happened, that particular human wasn’t allowed to disclose </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">that</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> secret.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Did </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> want to tell Matt about it? Sometimes, but being in the dark was one of the things keeping </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> partner safe from some of the evils in </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> past.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{23ec36e1-5470-4e6c-8815-0bb2c0e98d21}{68}" paraid="189854984" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Another beer?”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Luther</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">’s question snapped </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> out of </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> thoughts.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{23ec36e1-5470-4e6c-8815-0bb2c0e98d21}{86}" paraid="1081713658" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> glanced at the empty beer in </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> hand and took another from him.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Thanks.”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> took a sip.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“So, what do you do when you’re not on vacation?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{23ec36e1-5470-4e6c-8815-0bb2c0e98d21}{110}" paraid="440573939" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’m a </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">laywer</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{23ec36e1-5470-4e6c-8815-0bb2c0e98d21}{118}" paraid="398322493" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Let me guess.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Defense.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{23ec36e1-5470-4e6c-8815-0bb2c0e98d21}{126}" paraid="373763068" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“How did you know?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{23ec36e1-5470-4e6c-8815-0bb2c0e98d21}{130}" paraid="1286384730" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> shrugged.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{23ec36e1-5470-4e6c-8815-0bb2c0e98d21}{136}" paraid="126620492" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">A wave of goosebumps ran over </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> entire body </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> glamour evaporated.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Not that </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> needed to use much.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">All </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> really had to hide from humans was </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> ears.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Luther</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">, on the other hand, was in need of much more magic to hide his true s</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">e</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">lf</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">A shiver ran though him and it took some effort not to show </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> surprise.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">D</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">amn! If </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she’d</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> thought he was </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">good looking</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> before… His pointed ears poked though his almost white hair, his eyes became glowing pools of blue, and his wings were beautiful iridescent </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">mixes of blues and greens.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Fucking </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Fae</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> with their gorgeous everything.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Did she think he was smoking? Absolutely.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">But </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Fae</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> would always remind</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> of terrible things.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{23ec36e1-5470-4e6c-8815-0bb2c0e98d21}{230}" paraid="1248167071" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Oh, well, pure hatred isn’t usually the reaction get when the magic slips…”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He raised an eyebrow at </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{23ec36e1-5470-4e6c-8815-0bb2c0e98d21}{242}" paraid="633605335" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Sorry.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">It’s not you.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{23ec36e1-5470-4e6c-8815-0bb2c0e98d21}{250}" paraid="1896529713" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Your ex?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{23ec36e1-5470-4e6c-8815-0bb2c0e98d21}{254}" paraid="2143752041" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nat</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> shook </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> head.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’m not talking about it.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> swallowed the rest of </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> beer and smiled an apology.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{26b1cddc-b5a6-4d72-9b67-07d583a2e06b}{27}" paraid="395476700" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The limo slowed and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">she</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> glanced out the window.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">They</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">’d arrived.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{26b1cddc-b5a6-4d72-9b67-07d583a2e06b}{41}" paraid="1480530103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{26b1cddc-b5a6-4d72-9b67-07d583a2e06b}{43}" paraid="980137327" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{26b1cddc-b5a6-4d72-9b67-07d583a2e06b}{45}" paraid="1130391055" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{26b1cddc-b5a6-4d72-9b67-07d583a2e06b}{47}" paraid="1507126583" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Chapter Two</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{26b1cddc-b5a6-4d72-9b67-07d583a2e06b}{51}" paraid="1262341095" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{26b1cddc-b5a6-4d72-9b67-07d583a2e06b}{53}" paraid="1243850338" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Stepping out of the limo, all </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nat</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> could do was gawk.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The resort was</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> a</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> stunning</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> massive, six story building surrounded by wilderness.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">It was amazing.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nat took in the array of beings walking in and out of the doors.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Elves, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Fae</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">, shifters, elemental spirits…</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{26b1cddc-b5a6-4d72-9b67-07d583a2e06b}{89}" paraid="1862011013" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Holy shit,” she whispered.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She’d never seen a centaur in person before.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The man in question called out to someone else and a young boy/foal came galloping around the corner of the building.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The pair trotted into the lobby.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{26b1cddc-b5a6-4d72-9b67-07d583a2e06b}{105}" paraid="772613833" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">A tall, curvy, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">African American</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> woman with cu</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">r</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">ly black hair</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> strode out of the resort entrance.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nat</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> did a double take at the large white wolf at her side.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The woman spread her arms, her entire being beaming with her smile.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{26b1cddc-b5a6-4d72-9b67-07d583a2e06b}{129}" paraid="544562856" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Welcome to Crimson Moon Hideaway! My name is </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Jianna</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and this is Ru</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">in</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{26b1cddc-b5a6-4d72-9b67-07d583a2e06b}{143}" paraid="2071962281" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The wolf tilted h</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">er</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> head in silent greeting.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{26b1cddc-b5a6-4d72-9b67-07d583a2e06b}{151}" paraid="1893903578" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Congratulations on winning our contest!</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Let’s get you signed in so you can get settled into your rooms.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">You’ll be able to have a rest before supper.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The rest of our winners will be here shortly.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">” </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{26b1cddc-b5a6-4d72-9b67-07d583a2e06b}{169}" paraid="1942862845" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nat</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> turned to </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">grab </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> luggage only to find that it was already being whisked away.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{26b1cddc-b5a6-4d72-9b67-07d583a2e06b}{181}" paraid="821238389" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Please.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Follow me.”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Jianna</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> turned</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and led </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">them</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> into the building.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{26b1cddc-b5a6-4d72-9b67-07d583a2e06b}{201}" paraid="1314769193" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The lobby was breathtaking.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Tall ceilings adorned with chandeliers </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">had Nat whistling her amazement.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The main area had a</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">n</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">immense</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> four-sided fireplace with seating and tables.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">There were redwood accents everywhere making Nat feel as though the building was </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2 SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">really just</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> a part of the forest around them.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{26b1cddc-b5a6-4d72-9b67-07d583a2e06b}{231}" paraid="1983795715" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“This is gorgeous!”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{26b1cddc-b5a6-4d72-9b67-07d583a2e06b}{235}" paraid="1734550895" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Jianna</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> turned back to her, beaming.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Thank you!</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> It’s my little piece of heaven.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{26b1cddc-b5a6-4d72-9b67-07d583a2e06b}{247}" paraid="1224869713" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Once signed in, the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">pair made their way to the sixth floor where they were booked into some of the junior suites.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nat walked into hers and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">grinned</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{8}" paraid="39327521" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The place was massive.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">It had a living room, breakfast nook off of the bedroom, and a bathroom bigger than half of her apartment back home.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She set her bags down and stretched out on the bed.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{22}" paraid="1545561218" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">This bed right here was officially her little piece of heaven.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She wondered if there was any way to sneak an entire mattress out of the room on check out day.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{30}" paraid="1340952961" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Or you could just ask where they got the beds and order one for </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">yourself</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{38}" paraid="1593277201" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Rolling over, she reached for the agenda on the night table.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">There were no plans set in stone for the rest of today.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Jianna</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> had mentioned the rest of the winners would arrive later in the day and they would all meet at the bar around seven to make introductions before being free to do as they pleased for the rest of the evening.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{52}" paraid="622538834" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nat checked her watch.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Four o</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">’</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">clock.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Her stomach growled and she was reminded it was past supper time back home.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{68}" paraid="1762029639" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She decided to change into her bikini in case she decided to take a swim after eating.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Getting ready, s</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">he put her phone in her back pocket and made her way back </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">to the elevator</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{82}" paraid="217978508" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Luther was </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">getting into </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">it</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> as she stepped out of the room.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He kept the door open for her.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{96}" paraid="920407799" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Going down?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{100}" paraid="417126061" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nat smiled.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Thanks.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{108}" paraid="911193163" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’m heading to the restaurant.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">You?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{116}" paraid="102922543" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She nodded.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Same.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{124}" paraid="801416819" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Care to eat together?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{128}" paraid="1355369911" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Sure.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{132}" paraid="1771121530" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She laughed when he made a big show of holding his arm out to her so she could hook elbows with him.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{136}" paraid="457740212" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The maître d</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">e sat them at a table for two and left them with the food and drink specials.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{142}" paraid="1286607601" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nat read through the selections deciding first on the honey glazed chicken breast before settling on the steak Neptune with shrimp skewer.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{146}" paraid="905327219" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Luther ordered pan seared salmon</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{152}" paraid="2144182097" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“And what can I get you to drink,” inquired their waitress.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{156}" paraid="1999155673" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’ll have a glass of house red, please,” answered Nat.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{160}" paraid="1886158095" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’ll have a glass of Chablis.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{164}" paraid="1312655846" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nat had a look around the restaurant.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">It was gorgeous and perfectly named; Lumberjacks.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The walls were made to look like redwoods. The tables were made from the giant trees.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She especially loved how the staff wore jeans and flannel.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">They look</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">ed</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> so comfortable in their </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">boots.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{192}" paraid="690668856" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“This might be my new favorite restaurant,” she announced.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{196}" paraid="773896802" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Luther laughed.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“It is definitely homey and comfortable.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{204}" paraid="1512044339" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She wrinkled her nose at him.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“You probably eat at all the hoity toity hot shot restaurants back home.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{212}" paraid="1194154118" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He grinned and shrugged.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I do enjoy fine dining, though probably not as much as you assume.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{220}" paraid="870776886" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Their wine appeared and they took a sip.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{224}" paraid="328561154" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“What are you most excited about on our itinerary?” she inquired.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{228}" paraid="1059431007" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I think that would have to be the snorkeling.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">I love swimming, but I don’t get many chances to do it.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">You?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{240}" paraid="1145592054" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Zip lines.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">I’ve never done it.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{597c46ec-6d09-4f51-8e4b-a86189feb942}{248}" paraid="830631192" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He nodded.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“It’s a rush.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">If you’re not scared of heights, you’ll love it.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{2ae533ed-c0b0-4913-9195-99528b1fcaec}{7}" paraid="1324157941" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The rest of the meal was quiet as their food was put down on the table and the pair dug in.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nat made short work of her steak</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and sat back with a groan.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{2ae533ed-c0b0-4913-9195-99528b1fcaec}{17}" paraid="2108476919" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“That was amazing.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{2ae533ed-c0b0-4913-9195-99528b1fcaec}{21}" paraid="986307500" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Luther laughed.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“How you destroyed that steak was amazing.”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He watched her intently as she took a sip of her second glass of wine.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{2ae533ed-c0b0-4913-9195-99528b1fcaec}{33}" paraid="1996607815" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“So, is there a Mrs. Luther waiting at home?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{2ae533ed-c0b0-4913-9195-99528b1fcaec}{37}" paraid="124427822" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He shook his head.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’m not a settle down kind of </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Fae</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">You?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{2ae533ed-c0b0-4913-9195-99528b1fcaec}{53}" paraid="2014288716" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“No.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{2ae533ed-c0b0-4913-9195-99528b1fcaec}{57}" paraid="1089536809" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He nodded.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I imagine it takes a lot of overtime to become a detective by your age.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{2ae533ed-c0b0-4913-9195-99528b1fcaec}{65}" paraid="1860905691" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“It does.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{2ae533ed-c0b0-4913-9195-99528b1fcaec}{69}" paraid="1639332497" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Well, should you be interested, I do find law enforcement to be quite a turn on.”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He flashed her a lopsided grin and she had to laugh.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{2ae533ed-c0b0-4913-9195-99528b1fcaec}{77}" paraid="1514663963" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’m good, thanks.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{2ae533ed-c0b0-4913-9195-99528b1fcaec}{81}" paraid="1536642263" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He seemed about to argue his case and she was grateful when he simply shrugged and changed </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">topic.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{2ae533ed-c0b0-4913-9195-99528b1fcaec}{89}" paraid="2073957082" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{2ae533ed-c0b0-4913-9195-99528b1fcaec}{91}" paraid="1875663522" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{2ae533ed-c0b0-4913-9195-99528b1fcaec}{93}" paraid="672864921" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{2ae533ed-c0b0-4913-9195-99528b1fcaec}{95}" paraid="1243215380" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Chapter </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Three</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{2ae533ed-c0b0-4913-9195-99528b1fcaec}{101}" paraid="888179393" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{2ae533ed-c0b0-4913-9195-99528b1fcaec}{103}" paraid="721457124" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Luther</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">, Nat!”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Jianna</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> strode towards the pair, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">two</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> other people following behind her.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“How are your drinks?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{2ae533ed-c0b0-4913-9195-99528b1fcaec}{125}" paraid="1263935812" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Delicious.” Nat took a drink of hers to emphasize the point.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She couldn’t remember what it was called, but it tasted like sour peach candies.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{2ae533ed-c0b0-4913-9195-99528b1fcaec}{133}" paraid="1335639678" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Perfect!”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She stepped to the side and gestured to the group that had come to stand with </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">them</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’d like to introduce you to the other winners of our Paradise for a Week Contest.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Venice</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> won though an online ad.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{2ae533ed-c0b0-4913-9195-99528b1fcaec}{155}" paraid="1814875841" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Venice</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> grinned.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“It’s crazy, right?</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">I mean, I never win anything!”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She wasn’t very old.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Twenty-two? Twenty-three?</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nat wasn’t betting older than twenty-five.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">At least look wise.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She had to remind </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">herself</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> she was at a Paranormal resort and quite honestly, she could have been looking at a </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">three-hundred-year-old</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> witch.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Venice</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">’s straight, shoulder length auburn hair, light brown eyes, and petite stature revealed nothing of her supernatural status.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{2ae533ed-c0b0-4913-9195-99528b1fcaec}{203}" paraid="476605438" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Jianna</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> turned </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">to the woman standing beside </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Venice</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She was tall with pale skin, straight bright red hair that reached</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> just past her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> ass, and green eyes that glowed like </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Luther</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">’s.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Her wings were an iridescent mix of pinks and blues. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Fae</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">There was no mistaking them for anything else.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’d like to int</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">r</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">oduce </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">M</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">i</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">shael</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She won answering a quiz in a magazine.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{4d652061-1a85-4a8c-8fbe-dd40847fa3c7}{4}" paraid="1491410885" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">M</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">i</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">shael</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> laughed.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I was actually runner up.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Well, my friend won the trip, but she couldn’t make it, so I got to come in her place</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> This is so exciting!</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{4d652061-1a85-4a8c-8fbe-dd40847fa3c7}{28}" paraid="1805391399" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nat smiled, determined not to let her previous experience with the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Fae</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> folk to lead her to judge those she met here.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{4d652061-1a85-4a8c-8fbe-dd40847fa3c7}{38}" paraid="1267810230" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Jianna</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> frowned and glanced back the way she’d just come.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“It seems we lost Gage somewhere along the way.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Venice</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Mishael</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">, why don’t you join Nat and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Luther</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and I’ll go track down our lost friend.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{4d652061-1a85-4a8c-8fbe-dd40847fa3c7}{62}" paraid="368048470" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“No worries.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">I’m here.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{4d652061-1a85-4a8c-8fbe-dd40847fa3c7}{70}" paraid="104954794" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Everyone turned to look at the man who had </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">somehow snuck up on</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> them.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{4d652061-1a85-4a8c-8fbe-dd40847fa3c7}{80}" paraid="1987803948" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I got sidetracked at the fish tank.”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{4d652061-1a85-4a8c-8fbe-dd40847fa3c7}{86}" paraid="1766875331" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">His dark brown eyes met Nat’s sea green ones and the pair froze.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She swallowed the sip of the drink she’d just taken purely on reflex. Her heart, her lungs, her muscles… nothing seemed to work properly.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She was going to die from lack of oxygen if she couldn’t manage to take a breath soon.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{4d652061-1a85-4a8c-8fbe-dd40847fa3c7}{98}" paraid="1547630149" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Luther</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">’s hand on her arm shocked her back </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">to her body.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Are you ok?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{4d652061-1a85-4a8c-8fbe-dd40847fa3c7}{110}" paraid="660701559" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She nodded and cleared her throat, still unable to look away.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He wasn’t tall.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Maybe five foot </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">eight</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> or </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">nine</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">. His hair was thick and dark brown, almost black, just like his eyes.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He was muscled. But not </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">‘</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">hit the gym and fuck around with steroids</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">’</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> kind of muscled. It was work his ass off at a physical job kind of muscled.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She could see it in his arms under his dark green t-shirt and his calves sticking out of his black board shorts. </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{4d652061-1a85-4a8c-8fbe-dd40847fa3c7}{146}" paraid="1171650404" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She fought the urge to reach forward to touch his chest.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">What the fuck was wrong with her</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">?</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{4d652061-1a85-4a8c-8fbe-dd40847fa3c7}{156}" paraid="11811855" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He cleared his throat, his tongue wetting his lips. She barely hid her groan.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{4d652061-1a85-4a8c-8fbe-dd40847fa3c7}{160}" paraid="311646183" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’m, uh… hi.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">I’m Gage.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{4d652061-1a85-4a8c-8fbe-dd40847fa3c7}{168}" paraid="670837490" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Natalie.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nat.”</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She knew there were other people around them.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She could still see a </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Luther</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> shaped shadow in her peripherals and the rest… the rest of the room was a blur.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The only thing in focus was him.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Gage.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{4d652061-1a85-4a8c-8fbe-dd40847fa3c7}{196}" paraid="422427464" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{4d652061-1a85-4a8c-8fbe-dd40847fa3c7}{198}" paraid="2107409466" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{4d652061-1a85-4a8c-8fbe-dd40847fa3c7}{200}" paraid="1349608547" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{4d652061-1a85-4a8c-8fbe-dd40847fa3c7}{202}" paraid="226473717" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Chapter</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Four</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{4d652061-1a85-4a8c-8fbe-dd40847fa3c7}{210}" paraid="873962868" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{4d652061-1a85-4a8c-8fbe-dd40847fa3c7}{212}" paraid="1730062461" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He’d heard the expression ‘feeling like you hit a brick wall’ and up until this very moment, he’d had no idea exactly what that would be like.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">But this was it.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">This was driving down the highway at full speed and running into a brick wall</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> that suddenly appeared.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">There was no warning.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The instant his eyes met hers, there was nothing to be done.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He was stuck in place, his heart racing, his lungs winded.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{4d652061-1a85-4a8c-8fbe-dd40847fa3c7}{238}" paraid="678241301" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">This was her.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">How was it possible?</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Here?</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Now?</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He’d gone thirty-</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">five</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> years barely giving a second to the thought of finding his mate</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and she just happened to be one of the other winners of the contest?</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{6ffcbdd3-cf73-450d-a926-7af91c51c017}{9}" paraid="1051376683" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He took in her long dark hair and sea green eyes.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Her ears poked through her luscious waves and he managed to gain a bit of control over </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">himself</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Elf</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She was an </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Elf</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He cleared his throat and wet his lips</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{6ffcbdd3-cf73-450d-a926-7af91c51c017}{41}" paraid="1277071487" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’m, uh… hi.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">I’m Gage.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{6ffcbdd3-cf73-450d-a926-7af91c51c017}{49}" paraid="1456601938" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Natalie.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nat.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{6ffcbdd3-cf73-450d-a926-7af91c51c017}{57}" paraid="1847872407" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Nat</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">,” he </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">whispered the name to no one in particular.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{6ffcbdd3-cf73-450d-a926-7af91c51c017}{67}" paraid="1568084188" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He felt his bear fighting to come to the surface.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">They needed to claim her here and now.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{6ffcbdd3-cf73-450d-a926-7af91c51c017}{75}" paraid="1810210066" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He swallowed hard and glanced to </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Jianna</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“You’ll have to excuse me.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{6ffcbdd3-cf73-450d-a926-7af91c51c017}{87}" paraid="117975150" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">It took every ounce of will power to turn on his heels and walk out of the room.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">One part of him wanted to run back to her, throw her over his shoulder and haul ass to his suite.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The other part of him wanted to run out of the hotel as fast as he could before the first part </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">won</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He managed to speed walk out of the hotel before he lost control and his bear took over.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{6ffcbdd3-cf73-450d-a926-7af91c51c017}{107}" paraid="692518867" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Magic </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">flowed through him, the transformation taking </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">mere</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> seconds.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">A few of the guests who were outside stopped to watch as his form changed and a grizzly stood in his place.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{6ffcbdd3-cf73-450d-a926-7af91c51c017}{121}" paraid="925334040" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">RUN!</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> He screamed.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{6ffcbdd3-cf73-450d-a926-7af91c51c017}{127}" paraid="1259523652" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The bear hesitated a fraction of a second before breaking into a run, heading into the redwood forest.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{6ffcbdd3-cf73-450d-a926-7af91c51c017}{133}" paraid="100076593" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">What was wrong with him?</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He’d never lost control of his bear before.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He could feel his other half’s confusion as well, though the bear’s was much more primal.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">They had found their mate.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Why were they leaving her behind?</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Why were they running away?</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{6ffcbdd3-cf73-450d-a926-7af91c51c017}{157}" paraid="1244855642" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Because we aren’t a fucking </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">rapist</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and bending an unwilling woman over a bar stool in front of a crowd is illegal and wrong on so many levels!</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{6ffcbdd3-cf73-450d-a926-7af91c51c017}{167}" paraid="357849768" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The bear snorted.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{6ffcbdd3-cf73-450d-a926-7af91c51c017}{171}" paraid="687441360" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Gage’s mind wandered back to the scenario he’d just described, but this time, she was willing and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">they were alone.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The thought of her bent over, her legs spread, her eyes meeting his as she looked back over her shoulder while he claimed her…</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{6ffcbdd3-cf73-450d-a926-7af91c51c017}{183}" paraid="1797515354" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Fuck me.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">There’s no way I can be anywhere near her.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">There’s no way I’ll stay in control.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{6ffcbdd3-cf73-450d-a926-7af91c51c017}{197}" paraid="917954861" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He reached a small lake</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and stopped.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> The sun had almost finished setting </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">and the water shimmered a deep </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">fuchsia</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Huffing in frustration, he paced back and forth</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">, his claws digging into the damp earth.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">There really was no other choice.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He’d stay in the woods until early morning and when all the other guests were sleeping, he’d checkout and head home.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{6ffcbdd3-cf73-450d-a926-7af91c51c017}{225}" paraid="1255930982" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">His bear growled.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{6ffcbdd3-cf73-450d-a926-7af91c51c017}{231}" paraid="1824322869" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">I know it’s been a long time coming, but I can’t do this!</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Look at us!</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">We’re a fucking mess!</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{6ffcbdd3-cf73-450d-a926-7af91c51c017}{245}" paraid="371652090" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Hi.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{6ffcbdd3-cf73-450d-a926-7af91c51c017}{249}" paraid="1763827842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He stopped short</span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">, his nostrils flaring.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{6ffcbdd3-cf73-450d-a926-7af91c51c017}{255}" paraid="68821559" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Holy shit, it’s her.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW114021310 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{b1e00d44-d6a6-41df-a3a3-6813752d48cd}{4}" paraid="789065591" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He turned towards her, trying to </span><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">calm the shaking in his legs.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW114021310" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW114021310 BCX0" paraeid="{b1e00d44-d6a6-41df-a3a3-6813752d48cd}{10}" paraid="1128679069" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Fuck me, she’s gorgeous.</span><span class="EOP SCXW114021310 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div>Mireillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958225752322706613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1125729123080137595.post-7862802196750949302020-12-03T09:55:00.001-08:002020-12-03T10:00:36.960-08:00Welcome back to Quelondain, Sweetlings<p>A few months ago, I was in a shit place. Let's face it, this year has been tough on everyone. Everything I wrote was horrible. The writing wasn't terrible. It was the stories... They were dark, torturous... Now, you all know I like misery and tears in my books, but this was extreme. </p><p>I took a bit of time and reflected on what would be the best course of action. The first thing that popped into my head was Quelondain. Quelondain always makes me happy. It's my baby. Those characters are my family. lol</p><p>But I didn't want to go to Quelondain and bring the darkness there. Quelondain is my happy place and I wanted it to stay that way. So, instead of writing, I read. I read the trilogy. I read Tyler's Story. I read Eggnog Kisses, Candy Hearts, Ghosts, and Tears of the Moons. I read every story I had started in Quelondain that wasn't finished.</p><p>You guys... It worked.</p><p>I started to write and it wasn't all death and destruction. Did my characters bleed? Of course. I mean, it's Quelondain and we love our Sageden boys fierce and fighting. But there was hope and love and happiness. </p><p>And what was the end result? Displaced finally got done. Kendall's story is done. Now, I'm working on Brice's story. I don't have a title for that one yet. After that one, I plan on finishing every Quelondain story I have started. </p><p>Displaced officially releases on December 15 and is on sale for 99 cents right now. </p><p>For now, I think we all need the peace that Quelondain brings. So I'm going to share the first few chapters of Displaced. </p><p>Happy reading, Sweetlings. And welcome back.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmAEY4aWTaBhpC51g3BGL7oAHmS03PwqD7gNqfcCvEy5wsJP-C-NfJK3hnVsRr7NmUPVDaQu63tkSdtAuxOeFVQv8lkwB7ZrsfrkHnhds0e0VWJMu9d2Y1hx1U39EiuwyYlLGXoFw2J4s/s2048/Depositphotos_8521988_xl-2015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1516" data-original-width="2048" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmAEY4aWTaBhpC51g3BGL7oAHmS03PwqD7gNqfcCvEy5wsJP-C-NfJK3hnVsRr7NmUPVDaQu63tkSdtAuxOeFVQv8lkwB7ZrsfrkHnhds0e0VWJMu9d2Y1hx1U39EiuwyYlLGXoFw2J4s/w640-h474/Depositphotos_8521988_xl-2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{5761872c-c453-4c22-8a8f-321f43042610}{165}" paraid="58" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">C</span><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">HAPTER ONE</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{5761872c-c453-4c22-8a8f-321f43042610}{173}" paraid="59" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{5761872c-c453-4c22-8a8f-321f43042610}{175}" paraid="60" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Kendall lay by the creek, his arms behind his head. It was a perfect day to lie around and do nothing. He stretched and yawned; the perfect day to be lazy. It was one of the things he loved to do most since the war with </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Paradin</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> was over; relax. It had taken a while to get to this point. For months after they’d returned home from fighting, he’d had nightmares of the events that had taken place. The beings that had been injured, killed… all because of one deranged human. He remembered the agony engulfing his body as Laif’s magic had started to rip his tiger out of him.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{5761872c-c453-4c22-8a8f-321f43042610}{179}" paraid="61" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He shivered then inhaled deeply to help rid himself of the thoughts taking over his mind. Peaceful. Things were peaceful now. Braw was dead and the staff of Laif had been destroyed. Things were quiet </span><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">now. Other than the odd human rogue stirring up trouble here and there, there hadn’t been much to worry about. </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{5761872c-c453-4c22-8a8f-321f43042610}{185}" paraid="62" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Kendall! Are you here?” Brice’s voice drifted out of the woods towards him.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{5761872c-c453-4c22-8a8f-321f43042610}{189}" paraid="63" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He sat up with a good-natured groan which turned into laugh. “How are you doing, mate?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{5761872c-c453-4c22-8a8f-321f43042610}{193}" paraid="64" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Brice grinned. “I’m well. You?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{5761872c-c453-4c22-8a8f-321f43042610}{197}" paraid="65" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I can’t complain. It’s a beautiful day.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{5761872c-c453-4c22-8a8f-321f43042610}{201}" paraid="66" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">His friend nodded.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{5761872c-c453-4c22-8a8f-321f43042610}{205}" paraid="67" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kendall brushed shaggy black bangs out of his light blue eyes. “What brings you out to these parts?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{5761872c-c453-4c22-8a8f-321f43042610}{209}" paraid="68" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’m on a recruiting mission.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{5761872c-c453-4c22-8a8f-321f43042610}{213}" paraid="69" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kendall stiffened. So much for peaceful. “What happened?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{5761872c-c453-4c22-8a8f-321f43042610}{217}" paraid="70" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Brice chuckled. “Relax. Everything is quiet. Hayden is looking for volunteers to practice her displacement spell on.” The blond man grunted. “I was her target yesterday and I just managed to rid myself of the headache.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{5761872c-c453-4c22-8a8f-321f43042610}{221}" paraid="71" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Kendall laughed. Poor Hayden. It didn’t matter that she was the most powerful sorceress in </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Quelondain</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">; the poor woman was never going to master the displacement spell. “I suppose I could take the brunt of it this time. You’ll owe me one. I had plans today.”</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{5761872c-c453-4c22-8a8f-321f43042610}{225}" paraid="72" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Oh?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{5761872c-c453-4c22-8a8f-321f43042610}{229}" paraid="73" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I was planning on staying in this exact same position until supper time.” He stood and stretched one last time before shifting into his tiger. He cocked his head at Brice to lead the way. His friend smiled, shifted into his </span><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">jaguar</span><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> then bound into to the woods toward Hayden and Jasper’s cabin.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{5761872c-c453-4c22-8a8f-321f43042610}{237}" paraid="74" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Uncle Kendall!” </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{5761872c-c453-4c22-8a8f-321f43042610}{241}" paraid="75" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He shifted in time to catch Emma in his arms as the six-year-old threw herself in the air.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{5761872c-c453-4c22-8a8f-321f43042610}{248}" paraid="76" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Hello, Sweetling.” He gave her a hug then boosted her onto his shoulders. Nina and Daniel, Hayden and Jasper’s other two adopted children, ran to give their own hugs in welcome. “Is your dad home?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{5761872c-c453-4c22-8a8f-321f43042610}{252}" paraid="77" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nina shook her head.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{1}" paraid="78" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Mamma! Uncle Kendall and Uncle Brice are here!” Daniel shifted into his wolf and loped to the house in case Hayden hadn’t heard him. </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{5}" paraid="79" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Hayden stepped out of the house, her long dark brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{9}" paraid="80" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Brice! I told you to stay home today.” She mock glared at her friend.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{13}" paraid="81" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Aye, you did, but I’m fine. Really. The headache is gone.” He smiled and pressed his lips to her forehead in reassurance. “I brought you another test subject for the afternoon.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{17}" paraid="82" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kendall grinned and pulled her in for a hug. </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{21}" paraid="83" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She looked up, frowning. “Are you sure? You were sick for three days the last time I tried displacing you.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{25}" paraid="84" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He shrugged. “Brice tells me you’ve gotten better since then. I’m sure I’ll be fine.” Sick was quite the understatement. He’d been in bed, fevered, throwing up, with his head pounding for a full three days before the effects of Hayden’s magic had let him recover. </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{29}" paraid="85" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I don’t know…” Hayden bit the inside of her cheek, worried.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{33}" paraid="86" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Really, Hayden. You’ll do fine.” He gave her arm a squeeze.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{37}" paraid="87" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Do you want a cookie, Uncle? I found it in my pocket.” Emma handed a sorry looking cookie down from on his shoulders.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{41}" paraid="88" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kendall took it. “Thank you. I’ll just put it in my pocket for later, alright, Sweetling? I’d rather go into this with an empty stomach.” He gave Hayden an encouraging look. “Though I’m sure I’ll be fine.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{45}" paraid="89" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Alright. But you need to tell me the instant you start to feel sick.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{49}" paraid="90" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He nodded. “Down you go, Emma.” He squatted so she could climb down. “Now, where would like me to stand,” he inquired as he stood.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{53}" paraid="91" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Why don’t you jump the creek and go stand by the woods. I’ll try to displace you to this side of it.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{57}" paraid="92" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kendall shifted and easily leapt across the flowing water. </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{61}" paraid="93" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">A quarter of an hour later, Kendall found himself still standing by the woods, his arms at his side, his blue eyes gazing into Hayden’s green ones across the creek. He could tell she was biting the inside of her cheek.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{65}" paraid="94" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Hayden.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{69}" paraid="95" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She blinked and took a step back. “Are you getting a headache? I can stop if you want.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{73}" paraid="96" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He shook his head. “No, I’m fine. I just don’t want you drawing blood on the inside of your mouth.” He smiled. “Take a deep breath and relax. Don’t worry about me, a headache won’t kill me. Just concentrate on the spell.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{77}" paraid="97" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes. “Alright.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{81}" paraid="98" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kendall watched as she mouthed the words she needed before pushing her energy toward him. He felt the rush of magic wash over him, felt the ground disappear under his feet, and suddenly, he was free falling through the air.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{85}" paraid="99" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Great job, Hayden!” </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{89}" paraid="100" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Brice’s compliment sounded far away as he felt the grass reappear under him. He blinked hard to get rid of the spots blocking his vision. His gaze focused </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">in</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> time to see Hayden jumping up and down, clapping like a child. He grinned despite the fact he could hear the blood pounding in his head.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{93}" paraid="101" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I barely felt that one,” he lied, knowing she was watching him to judge his reaction to the spell. “Why don’t you give it another go?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{97}" paraid="102" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">“Are you sure?” Her initial excitement </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">faded</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> and she frowned, her eyes squinted with worry.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{101}" paraid="103" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’m fine. Really.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{105}" paraid="104" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She took a deep breath and he tried to relax. </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{109}" paraid="105" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Alright. But just one more time.” She waited until he nodded before inhaling deeply to focus.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{113}" paraid="106" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">This time, there was no waiting for the rush of magic. Kendall grunted with the force with which it slammed into him. </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{117}" paraid="107" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">What’s taking so long? He was sure he’d never had to wait more than a fraction of a second before finding himself back on firm land. Five, six, seven…</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{121}" paraid="108" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The ground rushed up under him once again and his legs buckled under the impact.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{125}" paraid="109" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">He groaned and held his pounding head. He’d been wrong. He could die from a headache. The world took a wild spin and he rolled to his side in case he threw up. His stomach </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">churned,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> his heart pounded. He kept his eyes closed, sure the pressure behind his eyes would force them out of their sockets. It took a moment to realize he couldn’t hear Brice cheering and that Hayden still hadn’t rushed to his side to make sure he was alright. He opened one eye at a time, hoping the sunlight wouldn’t make the pounding worse. Why was it dark out?</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{129}" paraid="110" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Bloody hell! What happened?” He wrapped his arms around his knees and looked around slowly before attempting to stretch. Why was he so stiff? His formed blurred and he felt his bones move into their proper order as he shifted into his tiger. </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{133}" paraid="111" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Kendall took in his surroundings more closely. Even with his feline vision, nothing looked familiar. He shifted back. “Not even a bit,” he mumbled to no one in particular. “What kind of plant is </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">that,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> do you suppose?” He reached over to a large blue flower growing from the trunk of a light pink tree. “These look like the pink trees in the </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Wedelven</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> forest, but I’ve never seen flowers like these growing on them before.” He jumped back with a growl as the flower bared teeth and attempted to bite his outstretched hand. “By the moons! It tried to eat me!”</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{137}" paraid="112" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">He’d never heard of a plant like this one. His heart raced and he inhaled deeply a few times to try and focus. What had happened? Where was he? And better </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">yet,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> how was he going to get home?</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{141}" paraid="113" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{143}" paraid="114" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{145}" paraid="115" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{147}" paraid="116" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">CHAPTER TWO</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{153}" paraid="117" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{155}" paraid="118" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">“I need to find a town.” Kendall ran his hands over his face and groaned. He’d found a </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">small deserted</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> cave to lie in until his headache had calmed down which, fortunately, had only been a few hours. Once he’d been sure he could move without feeling ill, he’d travelled at a jog for the past hour. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{159}" paraid="119" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">He stopped and shifted. He was </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">definitely getting</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> closer to some sort of civilization. The smell of smoke and people was getting stronger. He turned back to his human form, unsure of what he’d find once he finally found another living being. He took another look at his surroundings. Now that the sun was </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">coming up, he was even more confused as to where he might be. There were a lot of narrow trails weaving their way through the woods though he’d yet to come across any animals that might help him ascertain which part of </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Quelondain</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> he was in. And the foliage… Though all the plants seemed somewhat familiar, they also differed drastically from what he was used to seeing. There were more plants with teeth here than he’d ever seen before. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{165}" paraid="120" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">A woman’s voice rang through the air.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{169}" paraid="121" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I swear, Hanna, the men I meet simply get worse and worse. Why can’t I simply find one decent man who’ll take me on as his mate?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{173}" paraid="122" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">“Maybe it’s where you go to meet them, Neeka. You go to a </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">pub,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> you’ll bring home a drunk.”</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{177}" paraid="123" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“And where else am I supposed to go? There’s nowhere in this bloody part of the land that has any decent men in it.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{181}" paraid="124" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“There’s the soldiers…”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{185}" paraid="125" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">There was a grunt. “Right. No better way to get loved and left.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{189}" paraid="126" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“You know, you are intended to Christopher.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{193}" paraid="127" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“And you know I won’t be his mate. That was Brian’s doing, not mine. The man scares me. There’s something off about him.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{197}" paraid="128" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">The two women rounded a corner in the trail and stopped short at the sight of the man before them. Kendall tried to hide his surprise. They weren’t wearing any style of clothing he remembered seeing anywhere in </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Quelondain</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. Their dark red pants were loose in the leg to the point where, had he not seen them walking, he’d have thought them to be wearing skirts. They were both holding baskets laden with fresh food. The shorter of the two met his eye and frowned. She adjusted the basket on her hip, the gesture pulling his gaze to her torso which, instead of being covered in a tunic, was wrapped in a cloth band, like someone had started at her hip, continued their way up, then looped it over her shoulders before moving back down and tying it in a knot along her waist. The black shawl she wore over her hair blended in with the raven color of her long, curly hair. The sheer material covered her head then crossed so that it wrapped around her neck before coming back around and tying around her hair at the nape of her neck. The second woman nudged her and the light brown eyes holding his blinked.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{201}" paraid="129" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kendall was the first to recover. “Good afternoon, ladies.” He nodded to both and was rewarded with smiles. “I seem to have gotten off course. Would you be so kind as to tell me where I might be?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{205}" paraid="130" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The taller of the two cocked her head to the side. “You’re not a shifter, are you?” </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{209}" paraid="131" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Hanna!” Neeka shook her head. “You’ll have to excuse my sister. We all know that whatever shifters are left have vacated the area. She still accuses everyone of being one.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{213}" paraid="132" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“What? Can’t a girl have a little fun? It’s funny to see the looks on people’s faces when I ask them. I mean, you should have seen yours.” Hanna grinned at him.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{217}" paraid="133" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Soon enough, we’ll be completely rid of the bastards.” Neeka grunted.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{221}" paraid="134" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kendall’s mind was racing. The war was over. The humans had lost. This was all wrong. Were these women rogues, they wouldn’t be out in the open like this. “Um, right. See, that’s what I’m wondering. I </span><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">was attacked a few days back and forced to travel blindfolded. All of my things were taken…” He glanced from one to the other, hoping he was running with the right thought. “I’d like to know where I was dumped.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{227}" paraid="135" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Neeka nodded. “Well, you’ll be glad to know you’re still in </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Thistendal</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">,” she teased. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{231}" paraid="136" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Hanna elbowed her. “And she says I think I’m the funny one. He’s been through enough. You’re just outside the town of Jaish.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{235}" paraid="137" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">It took a moment for their words to sink in. “Bloody hell.” Kendall’s curse was loud in the sudden silence. His heart pounded in his chest and his butterflies fought to break out of his stomach. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Thistendal</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. He wasn’t even in </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Quelondain</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> anymore. He was on a completely different continent! How, in the name of the moons, was he going to get home?</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{239}" paraid="138" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Are you alright?” Neeka put her basket down and reached for the canteen she had in it. She handed it to him.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{243}" paraid="139" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He nodded and cleared his throat. “I’m just surprised at how far I’ve travelled.” He ran a hand over his face.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{247}" paraid="140" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Come. Our guardian runs the inn in Jaish. We’ll get you a room for the night and you can get your affairs in order.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{251}" paraid="141" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’ve no money. Robbed, remember? I’ll be fine, I’m sure, though I do appreciate the offer.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{d53ba5c8-7bce-4c3e-b450-0cb219a267bc}{255}" paraid="142" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She grinned. “You must be from farther south. I love the accent. Anyhow, it’s not an offer, it’s an order. You need to eat and sleep somewhere tonight. They say the shifters are gone from this area, but you never know if you’ll run into one. Dangerous. They’ll kill you in your sleep if they can. Come along. I insist.” She picked up her basket and waited until he was beside her before starting off.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{4}" paraid="143" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">His curiosity getting the better of him, he glanced down at Neeka. “Have you ever met one?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{8}" paraid="144" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Hmmm?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{12}" paraid="145" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“A shifter. Have you ever met one?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{16}" paraid="146" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She looked up at him. “How do you meet an animal?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{20}" paraid="147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Well, they’re human as well, yeah?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{24}" paraid="148" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter what form they take. They’re all beasts. And no. I’ve never seen one.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{28}" paraid="149" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Kendall decided to drop the subject. Could it be that shifters here were different than the Majs and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Namaels</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> of </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Quelondain</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">? Maybe they were more animal than man. Whatever the case was, it was obvious that to let on he wasn’t human was the worst thing he could do. Steering clear of that </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">particular subject</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> seemed like a swell idea.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{32}" paraid="150" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Have you?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{36}" paraid="151" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He was drawn out of his thought by Neeka’s question.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{40}" paraid="152" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Have I what?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{44}" paraid="153" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Seen a shifter.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{48}" paraid="154" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">“Oh. No. Never.” At least, not the kind she seemed to be talking about. He wondered what she’d do if he told her shifters weren’t what she thought. He took a deep breath. It was best to leave it alone. He’d find some supplies, some food, and take the day to try and think of how he could get home. Who knew… maybe Hayden would somehow manage to displace him home </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">again.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{52}" paraid="155" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“So, do you have a name?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{56}" paraid="156" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He smiled. “Kendall.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{60}" paraid="157" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“And what do you do, Kendall?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{64}" paraid="158" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Fisherman.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{68}" paraid="159" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She blinked. “Really! Here I had you pegged as a soldier of some sort.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{72}" paraid="160" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Oh?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{76}" paraid="161" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She shrugged. “It’s the way you hold yourself; like you’re about to jump out of your skin.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{80}" paraid="162" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He grinned. “It never hurts to be prepared.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{84}" paraid="163" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Neeka raised an eyebrow in his direction. “Like you were when those men jumped you?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{88}" paraid="164" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">By the moons, was the woman ever going to stop asking questions? “I was sleeping at the time.” He breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of the small town before them.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{92}" paraid="165" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Come along. The inn is this way.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{96}" paraid="166" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">As they wandered into town, he enjoyed the brightly colored roofs and white walls of the buildings. The red, blue, and yellow paint made it seem like such a cheerful and happy place. His brows drew together as he watched the people wandering the streets. Kendall’s unease increased once again. This was a bad idea. It was obvious that even though it was morning, </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">a large number of</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> people were already stumbling about intoxicated.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{100}" paraid="167" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">He watched as one man pulled his pants down, barely </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">making an effort</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> to turn and hide as he relieved his bladder in the street.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{104}" paraid="168" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Is there a celebration happening?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{108}" paraid="169" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">A woman yelled out of the window and threw a plate at the man.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{112}" paraid="170" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Hanna nodded. “Some soldiers came into town late last night, swearing they’d killed a shifter.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{116}" paraid="171" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kendall’s stomach dropped. “They had proof?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{120}" paraid="172" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">She shrugged. “If a lock of </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,PD94bWwgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4wIiBlbmNvZGluZz0iVVRGLTgiPz4KPHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iNXB4IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjNweCIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDUgMyIgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4xIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHhtbG5zOnhsaW5rPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8xOTk5L3hsaW5rIj4KICAgIDwhLS0gR2VuZXJhdG9yOiBTa2V0Y2ggNTUuMiAoNzgxODEpIC0gaHR0cHM6Ly9za2V0Y2hhcHAuY29tIC0tPgogICAgPHRpdGxlPmdyYW1tYXJfZG91YmxlX2xpbmU8L3RpdGxlPgogICAgPGRlc2M+Q3JlYXRlZCB3aXRoIFNrZXRjaC48L2Rlc2M+CiAgICA8ZyBpZD0iZ3JhbW1hcl9kb3VibGVfbGluZSIgc3Ryb2tlPSJub25lIiBzdHJva2Utd2lkdGg9IjEiIGZpbGw9Im5vbmUiIGZpbGwtcnVsZT0iZXZlbm9kZCIgc3Ryb2tlLWxpbmVjYXA9InJvdW5kIj4KICAgICAgICA8ZyBpZD0iR3JhbW1hci1UaWxlLUNvcHkiIHN0cm9rZT0iIzMzNTVGRiI+CiAgICAgICAgICAgIDxwYXRoIGQ9Ik0wLDAuNSBMNSwwLjUiIGlkPSJMaW5lLTItQ29weS0xMCI+PC9wYXRoPgogICAgICAgICAgICA8cGF0aCBkPSJNMCwyLjUgTDUsMi41IiBpZD0iTGluZS0yLUNvcHktMTEiPjwvcGF0aD4KICAgICAgICA8L2c+CiAgICA8L2c+Cjwvc3ZnPg=="); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">white blond</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> hair is proof, I suppose you can say they did.”</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{124}" paraid="173" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Now, he wanted nothing more than to leave. What was wrong with these beings? There was never a time when he’d been out on patrols when he’d thought it alright to rejoice over a kill he’d made. He was a soldier, not a savage.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{128}" paraid="174" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">And what was he thinking?</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{132}" paraid="175" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">There was no way that a shifter was going to go unnoticed in a town full of humans with an obvious hatred of shifters. He glanced back to the safety of the forest then looked down where Neeka had put a hand on his arm. She cocked her head to the side in question.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{136}" paraid="176" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’m just hoping the crew who robbed me aren’t here. This seems like it might be their kind of scene.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{140}" paraid="177" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She smiled. “Well, if they are, I’ll protect you.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{144}" paraid="178" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He laughed despite his unease.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{148}" paraid="179" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Come along. You can’t tell me you’re not hungry. I can hear your stomach from here.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{152}" paraid="180" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He nodded. “I could use a bite.” He glanced at Hanna who was watching them intently. “Careful!”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{156}" paraid="181" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Hanna let out a small squeal as he grabbed her arm and pulled her toward him.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{160}" paraid="182" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Watch where you’re going,” he growled at the couple of drunks who’d almost crashed into her.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{164}" paraid="183" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Both sisters glared at the men before gathering the vegetables that had fallen out of Hanna’s basket.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{168}" paraid="184" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Here. Let me take those.” Kendall took both baskets and followed along as they led the way to the inn.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{172}" paraid="185" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Here was hoping nothing happened to draw any attention to him between now and whenever he’d be able to leave.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{176}" paraid="186" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{178}" paraid="187" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{180}" paraid="188" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{182}" paraid="189" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">C</span><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">HAPTER THREE</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{190}" paraid="190" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{192}" paraid="191" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“How’s your breakfast?” Neeka refilled their coffee cups.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{196}" paraid="192" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Excellent, thank you.” He took another bite of his omelet to prove he wasn’t lying. He wasn’t sure what kind of eggs had been used, but they were delicious. </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{200}" paraid="193" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">She smiled and sat once again. “Once we’re done </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">here</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> I’ll show you to your room and you can get cleaned up. I </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">have</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> to</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> head to the stables. It’s my turn to clean the stalls.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{208}" paraid="194" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’ll come give you a hand.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{212}" paraid="195" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She shook her head. “I couldn’t ask you to do that.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{216}" paraid="196" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Of course</span><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> you could. It’s the least I can do to thank you for the food and room.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{224}" paraid="197" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Neeka mulled the offer over for a moment before nodding. “Alright. Thank you.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{228}" paraid="198" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He grinned. “It’s my pleasure.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{232}" paraid="199" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Though there was nothing more he wanted than to go home, he knew that simply running out into the woods wasn’t going to help with his situation. Even if he made the trip to the coast, there was no way he could afford to buy passage on one of the </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Gysps</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">’ trading ships. He needed information. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{236}" paraid="200" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“You’d better hurry getting to your chores, Neeka.” Hanna scooped up their empty plates. “Brian will be back from the market soon.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{240}" paraid="201" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Her sister nodded. “We’re just heading there now.” </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{244}" paraid="202" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kendall thanked Hanna for taking the dishes before following Neeka out to the stables. She handed him a shovel and pointed to the first stall.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{248}" paraid="203" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“We tie the horses inside and clean around them. We’ve had a few instances where a horse managed to get loose when they were tied outside. Personally, I think someone let them go, but Brian doesn’t believe me.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{b44b1cc7-86c5-4e91-b43e-0d9c5787bf81}{252}" paraid="204" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He frowned. “This Brian, he’s what to you?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{1}" paraid="205" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“My guardian.” She moved to the end of the aisle and came back pushing a cart before entering the stall across from his. “He’s been raising us since before I can remember.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{5}" paraid="206" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kendall tied a tall bay mare before getting to work on his stall. “So, you’ve lived in this town all your life?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{9}" paraid="207" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She nodded. “As far as I know.” Done her first stall, she moved on to the next. “It’s not the most exciting town, but most of the folks that live here are decent. There are a few who like to cause trouble, but never anything major. It’s mostly outsiders that will do the most damage when they come through town.” She grinned. “You’re not going to cause any trouble, are you?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{13}" paraid="208" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He laughed. “You’ve my word, I’ll behave.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{17}" paraid="209" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">“Neeka, when you’re done </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">here</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> I want you to…” The newcomer stopped short at the sight of Kendall.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{21}" paraid="210" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The shifter tightened his grip on the shovel should he need to use it as a weapon. The man, shorter than him by at least a head, though thicker in build, widened his stance.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{25}" paraid="211" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Brian, this is Kendall. Kendall, Brian.” Neeka deftly stepped between the two men. “Hanna and I came upon Kendall while we out gathering vegetables. He’s been robbed and wasn’t sure where he was. We made him something to eat and he offered to help muck stalls as payment.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{29}" paraid="212" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Brian grunted. “Well, when you’re done here, maybe he could give you a hand in room twelve. The bastards destroyed it last night.” Without giving them another glance, he turned on his heels and left.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{33}" paraid="213" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kendall let himself relax. “Friendly fellow,” he mumbled.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{37}" paraid="214" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Don’t mind him. He’s in a foul mood because of the mess the soldiers left the inn in last night. Room twelve was one of theirs.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{41}" paraid="215" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">They went back to cleaning the stalls, though this time with less talking. Once done, Kendall pushed the cart back where it would sit until the next day. </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{45}" paraid="216" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Thank you.” Neeka smiled and led the way back to the inn.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{49}" paraid="217" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">They stopped at the kitchen and helped themselves to water.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{53}" paraid="218" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“That was quick,” remarked Hanna. She wiped a forearm across her brow before returning her attention back to the bread dough she’d been kneading. </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{57}" paraid="219" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“It’s going to be a busy day. Brian wants Kendall and I to take care of room twelve.” </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{61}" paraid="220" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Hanna grunted. “You’ll be there until tomorrow if you don’t get to it. I was in there this morning and it I don’t think there’s one piece of furniture that can be saved.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{65}" paraid="221" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Neeka shook her head in disgust. “Soldiers.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{69}" paraid="222" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Maybe once you’re mated to Christopher you could have a chat with him about his little army’s manners.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{73}" paraid="223" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Neeka scoffed. “Not likely. I plan on spending as little time as possible in the man’s company.” She gave Kendall’s arm a tug to let him know they were leaving.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{77}" paraid="224" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kendall glanced at her as they made their way down the hall. “Your intended runs the soldiers?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{81}" paraid="225" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">She rolled her eyes. “He likes to think he does. We call them soldiers, but </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">really</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> they’re just goons with sharp weapons. Christopher put them together to hunt for shifters.”</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{85}" paraid="226" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“And they’re good at what they do?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{89}" paraid="227" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Neeka shrugged. “They’ve never brought one in to prove they’ve actually killed one. It’s always a piece from whoever they’ve killed.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{93}" paraid="228" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She opened the door to room twelve and Kendall stopped short.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{97}" paraid="229" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“By the moons, what in the world did they do in here?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{101}" paraid="230" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The entire room was destroyed. Anything that could be broken had been splintered, smashed, or ripped apart. The floor was covered in wood, glass, and mattress down. </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{105}" paraid="231" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Neeka let out an exasperated sigh. “Bastards.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{109}" paraid="232" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He walked to the window which had somehow been spared and glanced outside. “Do you have a bin we could place under here? We could simply throw everything out the window.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{113}" paraid="233" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Her brow furrowed as she thought. “I think we have one in the back. We’ll need some bags as well. Hanna will want the mattress down to make pillows.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{117}" paraid="234" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“This happens often?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{121}" paraid="235" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He opened the door and let her lead the way to wherever they needed to be next.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{125}" paraid="236" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Someone behind them whistled. “If she wasn’t Christopher’s, I’d be having my way with that one.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{129}" paraid="237" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Neeka’s back straightened at the comment, but she didn’t stop walking.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{133}" paraid="238" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kendall, however, turned with a growl. He found himself looking at three drunks, one of which was leaning against the wall to stay upright. </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{137}" paraid="239" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Just ignore them, Kendall.” Neeka tugged at his tunic sleeve. “It’s not worth it.” </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{141}" paraid="240" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He reluctantly followed her once again. “How about that? Does that happen often?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{145}" paraid="241" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She shrugged. “It’s only words. They all know Christopher would kill them if they touched me.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{149}" paraid="242" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“But…”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{153}" paraid="243" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Let’s just concentrate on cleaning this room. I’d rather not talk about Christopher.” </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{157}" paraid="244" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kendall put a hand on the exit door before she could open it. She was upset. He could see it in her clenched jaw and her rigid posture.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{161}" paraid="245" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’m sorry.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{165}" paraid="246" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She relaxed slightly then closed her eyes as he brushed his thumb over her frown.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{169}" paraid="247" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Whatever it was this girl was going through, it was weighing heavily on her being. She </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">definitely put</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> on a brave front, but under the happy exterior, something was </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">definitely wrong</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{173}" paraid="248" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Are you alright?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{177}" paraid="249" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She gazed up at him and nodded. “I’ll be fine.” She smiled. “Come along. This room won’t clean itself.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{181}" paraid="250" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">A strange shiver ran through him as she opened the door. The feeling was gone before he could decide what it </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">was</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> and he quickly forgot about it as the day went on.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{185}" paraid="251" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{187}" paraid="252" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{189}" paraid="253" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{191}" paraid="254" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">C</span><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">HAPTER FOUR</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{199}" paraid="255" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{201}" paraid="256" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Neeka couldn’t help but keep looking in Kendall’s direction as they went about their day. He was… different. Though his story made a lot of sense, there was just something off about him. There was his accent, for one. It wasn’t right. Granted, she hadn’t met a lot of people from the south, but she was sure their way of speaking wasn’t quite as different as his was. Put that together with the way he seemed to take everything in like he was always getting ready to escape and she had a feeling he wasn’t telling her the truth.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{205}" paraid="257" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">She smiled as a black </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">nalden</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> (a small cat like creature) rubbed up against his leg. “That’s funny.”</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{209}" paraid="258" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Kendall glanced up from scratching it behind </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">it’s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> scaly ear. “What is?”</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{213}" paraid="259" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“We call that one Ghost because we never see him. He hates people.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{217}" paraid="260" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He shrugged. “He seems friendly enough.” </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{221}" paraid="261" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She took a step toward them and Ghost disappeared in a flash of black. </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{225}" paraid="262" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“So, Kendall of… where did you say you were from again?” She handed him another board which he took without looking, his clear blue eyes on hers.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{229}" paraid="263" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Here and there. I’ve never really had a place I called home.” </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{233}" paraid="264" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Because…”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{237}" paraid="265" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Because I’m a fisherman.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{241}" paraid="266" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Right.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{245}" paraid="267" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Right.” </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{249}" paraid="268" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He was lying. She could tell. Why did she care so much? She’d only known him a couple of days now and he wasn’t going to be staying much longer. Not to mention that she was intended to Christopher.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{65262d8d-bfff-4b04-b054-62732b18f33f}{253}" paraid="269" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The thought of her future mate her dissipated her good humor.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{45e16583-1d02-4a2a-821d-81ba336b78b9}{2}" paraid="270" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kendall frowned. “Are you alright?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{45e16583-1d02-4a2a-821d-81ba336b78b9}{6}" paraid="271" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">She tried to think of a new question to add to her good-natured </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">interrogation, but</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> couldn’t think of any. “I’m fine.” Nodding toward the fence they were </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">fixing,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> she managed a smile. “At the rate you’re going, we’ll be under a foot of snow by the time we’re done fixing this fence.” </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{45e16583-1d02-4a2a-821d-81ba336b78b9}{10}" paraid="272" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He raised an eyebrow at the fence in question. “How many times has this been fixed?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{45e16583-1d02-4a2a-821d-81ba336b78b9}{14}" paraid="273" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">She shrugged. “I’ve lost count.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{45e16583-1d02-4a2a-821d-81ba336b78b9}{18}" paraid="274" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He grunted. Without a word, he returned to the task at hand. </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{45e16583-1d02-4a2a-821d-81ba336b78b9}{22}" paraid="275" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Her eyes fell on his hands as he looped the twine around the post, snugging up the board against it. His fingers made quick work of the knots then moved to the next one. She could have sat here and watched him work all day. Each movement he made was so fluid.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{45e16583-1d02-4a2a-821d-81ba336b78b9}{26}" paraid="276" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He took a drink from the canteen and turned toward her.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{45e16583-1d02-4a2a-821d-81ba336b78b9}{30}" paraid="277" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">By the moons, he’d caught her staring. She felt the blush </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">rise up</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> her neck and engulf her face. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{45e16583-1d02-4a2a-821d-81ba336b78b9}{34}" paraid="278" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">To his credit, he didn’t comment on her obvious embarrassment. He was so unlike the men she was used to being around here at the inn. He wasn’t crude, or rude. He didn’t expect a free handout.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{45e16583-1d02-4a2a-821d-81ba336b78b9}{38}" paraid="279" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Taking the </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">water</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> he was offering, she took a few large gulps. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{45e16583-1d02-4a2a-821d-81ba336b78b9}{42}" paraid="280" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Brian </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">took a look</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> at them from around the corner of the building before heading back to wherever he’d come from.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{45e16583-1d02-4a2a-821d-81ba336b78b9}{46}" paraid="281" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Does he expect to find me on top of you in the muck?” Kendall didn’t bother hiding how annoyed he was with being watched.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{45e16583-1d02-4a2a-821d-81ba336b78b9}{50}" paraid="282" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“He worries.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{45e16583-1d02-4a2a-821d-81ba336b78b9}{54}" paraid="283" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kendall scoffed. “If he was so worried, he’d be making sure you were treated properly.” He exhaled loudly. “I’m sorry. I know he raised you.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{45e16583-1d02-4a2a-821d-81ba336b78b9}{58}" paraid="284" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">She couldn’t help but smile at how much he seemed to care. Caring, polite, and quite the treat to look at… he </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">definitely wasn’t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> like the men she was used to being around.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{45e16583-1d02-4a2a-821d-81ba336b78b9}{62}" paraid="285" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“What?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{45e16583-1d02-4a2a-821d-81ba336b78b9}{66}" paraid="286" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Neeka shook her head. “Nothing.” She handed him the last board. </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{45e16583-1d02-4a2a-821d-81ba336b78b9}{70}" paraid="287" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“What’s next after this?” he inquired.</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{45e16583-1d02-4a2a-821d-81ba336b78b9}{74}" paraid="288" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“You do realize you’ve more than paid for your keep, yeah?” She wasn’t lying. He hadn’t stopped helping her since they’d found him in the woods. “You could stay another week and not owe us a coin.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{45e16583-1d02-4a2a-821d-81ba336b78b9}{78}" paraid="289" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He smiled. “I like to stay busy.” </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{45e16583-1d02-4a2a-821d-81ba336b78b9}{82}" paraid="290" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Two of Christopher’s men sauntered by and his look hardened. One of them, who had started to say something, quickly closed his mouth and quickened his pace. </span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{45e16583-1d02-4a2a-821d-81ba336b78b9}{86}" paraid="291" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Neeka managed to stifle her laugh. Kendall hadn’t lifted a finger to </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">anyone</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> yet everyone had taken to leaving a wide berth when walking by them. All it took was a look. Well, everyone but Ghost.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{45e16583-1d02-4a2a-821d-81ba336b78b9}{90}" paraid="292" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">She shook her head in disbelief as the </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">nalden</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> hopped onto the fence and gave Kendall’s hand and affectionate head bump.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{45e16583-1d02-4a2a-821d-81ba336b78b9}{94}" paraid="293" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">There was </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2 SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; 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border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">definitely something</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> different about that man.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW235589561 BCX0" paraeid="{45e16583-1d02-4a2a-821d-81ba336b78b9}{98}" paraid="1784375083" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="TextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW235589561 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW235589561 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":252}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></span></p></div>Mireillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958225752322706613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1125729123080137595.post-5081789849998284552020-11-04T22:30:00.007-08:002020-11-04T22:30:03.772-08:00Winning Paradise Release Day! <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGMtztCEXeNgeMY84feyZkdm5V36ED5p2u2J81mHoWW0cn7uvS8_YnolTf2ZCXwmzns__TPPZcZQ9pD2TZOgVoxzxshSJhNoDNb_PJeHpoWfNV3u5uOkQ2yTdHKtHYDnNJn8uDvARNp6P/s2048/Mireille+Chester+-+CMH+-+Winning+Paradise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1302" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGMtztCEXeNgeMY84feyZkdm5V36ED5p2u2J81mHoWW0cn7uvS8_YnolTf2ZCXwmzns__TPPZcZQ9pD2TZOgVoxzxshSJhNoDNb_PJeHpoWfNV3u5uOkQ2yTdHKtHYDnNJn8uDvARNp6P/w254-h400/Mireille+Chester+-+CMH+-+Winning+Paradise.jpg" width="254" /></a></div><br />Nat let out a shaky breath before sitting up and wiping her arm across her face to get rid of the tears. Needing to step away from the pain of the past, she glanced at the remnants of the doors.<p></p><p>“How in the world did you manage that?”</p><p>He shook his head, looking just as bewildered as she felt. “I don’t really remember it. I just knew I needed to get to you.”</p><p>He finally looked up and met her gaze.</p><p>Nat’s heart skipped like a schoolgirl with her first crush.</p><p>“You needed me, so I came.”</p><p>The conflict and need in his dark eyes reminded her this was nothing like any crush she’d ever had. This was him. This was the man she was meant to be with. Her mate.</p><p>“I’d better get back to my room and let you get back to sleep.”</p><p>She shook her head. “Don’t. Please.” The thought of falling asleep and reliving the worst day of her life again had her chest tightening. “I… I still need you.”</p><p><br /></p><p>When she wins a trip to the Crimson Moon Hideaway Resort, Detective Natalie Greenleaf is thrilled. Being an Elf hidden in the human world can be exhausting and a vacation to a resort where paranormals are free to be themselves is just what she needs. One whole week to forget about life, cases, and criminals.</p><p>Bear shifter Gage Loneclaw is used to being alone. It’s been that way since being exiled from his clan at a young age for refusing to follow orders. With his bees to keep him company, he is perfectly content to stay on his quiet piece of land, selling honey at the local farmer’s market. When he gets the call to let him know he’s won a week at the five-star resort, he almost turns down the offer, but a small, nagging voice in the back of his thoughts convinces him to go.</p><p>When the past comes back to haunt both Nat and Gage, the pair find they have much in common. While neither of them had even thought of finding a mate, Fate does what She will. Winning Paradise may have been part of Her plan, but they’ll have to survive the week if they’re going to have a chance at a future.</p><p><br /></p><p>Take advantage of the release day sale! Pick up your copy for 99 cents now!</p><p>https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08JTKP39M/</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyeFL7DIHwfw6TJ4bgbiNzumZb5lBQaDrZMA06yx4fjGfubZ1AfUUMxbmcphmi0Y0WXqDzdqL46_B6Si8_zg8kjyo9sTqgNL9vJwhBlNUY3K4q8Q9LDrIPDk7hitLe6cvHdwoq7KO9CZ8W/s960/CMH-Nov2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="960" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyeFL7DIHwfw6TJ4bgbiNzumZb5lBQaDrZMA06yx4fjGfubZ1AfUUMxbmcphmi0Y0WXqDzdqL46_B6Si8_zg8kjyo9sTqgNL9vJwhBlNUY3K4q8Q9LDrIPDk7hitLe6cvHdwoq7KO9CZ8W/w400-h208/CMH-Nov2020.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Be sure to pick up the rest of the Crimson Moon Hideaway stories, all on sale!</p><p>Crimson Moon Hideaway: Dragon Falling (Dragon Intelligence Agency Book 1) by Julia Mills</p><p>https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08L25ZMQH/ </p><p>Crimson Moon Hideaway: Time Wasn't Ready (Women of the Fold Book 1) by Terri A. Wilson</p><p>https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08L1BJYW2/ </p><p>Crimson Moon Hideaway: Chimera's Edge by Renee Hewett</p><p>https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LL9BHP8/ </p><p>Crimson Moon Hideaway: Muse Unleashed by Robbie Cox</p><p>https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08K6TR7MK/ </p><div><br /></div>Mireillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958225752322706613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1125729123080137595.post-40938244832776915182020-10-03T13:58:00.027-07:002020-10-03T14:51:21.079-07:00Winning Paradise Preorder!<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> You guys! I am so excited!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">After being asked to take part in a multi-author world, I'm not going to lie, I had some major imposter syndrome happening. But I got it done and I'm absolutely in love with this story.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">So here you go! The preorder of Winning Paradise is now here and it is 99 cents until release day on November 5th! So grab your copy now!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Crimson-Moon-Hideaway-Winning-Paradise-ebook/dp/B08JTKP39M/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=winning+paradise&qid=1601754913&sr=8-2" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Pre-order Now</span></b></a><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJwqA-i6ZuknsBJpIRfwqwcMxUb5D7WEmcKEcKuWdh-M5l1jqNsujwVimKJz_zCQHXf6QLLxsHbSuaO292RY_DACFtevScobZ_xoveh_eEIKzTHE4bDWci9PzI5SyTR1IYH-c81RdgBwT/s2048/winning+paradise+preoder.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJwqA-i6ZuknsBJpIRfwqwcMxUb5D7WEmcKEcKuWdh-M5l1jqNsujwVimKJz_zCQHXf6QLLxsHbSuaO292RY_DACFtevScobZ_xoveh_eEIKzTHE4bDWci9PzI5SyTR1IYH-c81RdgBwT/w400-h268/winning+paradise+preoder.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Nat let out a shaky breath before sitting up and wiping her arm across her face to get rid of the tears. Needing to step away from the pain of the past, she glanced at the remnants of the doors.</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">“How in the world did you manage that?”</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">He shook his head, looking just as bewildered as she felt. “I don’t really remember it. I just knew I needed to get to you.”</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">He finally looked up and met her gaze.</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Nat’s heart skipped like a schoolgirl with her first crush. </span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">“You needed me, so I came.”</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">The conflict and need in his dark eyes reminded her this was nothing like any crush she’d ever had. This was him. This was the man she was meant to be with. Her mate. </span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">“I’d better get back to my room and let you get back to sleep.”</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">She shook her head. “Don’t. Please.” The thought of falling asleep and reliving the worst day of her life again had her chest tightening. “I… I still need you.”</span></i></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">When she wins a trip to the Crimson Moon Hideaway Resort, Detective Natalie Greenleaf is thrilled. Being an Elf hidden in the human world can be exhausting and a vacation to a resort where paranormals are free to be themselves is just what she needs. One whole week to forget about life, cases, and criminals.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Bear shifter Gage Loneclaw is used to being alone. It’s been that way since being exiled from his clan at a young age for refusing to follow orders. With his bees to keep him company, he is perfectly content to stay on his quiet piece of land, selling honey at the local farmer’s market. When he gets the call to let him know he’s won a week at the five-star resort, he almost turns down the offer, but a small, nagging voice in the back of his thoughts convinces him to go.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">When the past comes back to haunt both Nat and Gage, the pair find they much in common. While neither of them had even thought of finding a mate, Fate does what She will. Winning Paradise may have been part of Her plan, but they’ll have to survive the week if they’re going to have a chance at a future.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Crimson-Moon-Hideaway-Winning-Paradise-ebook/dp/B08JTKP39M/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=winning+paradise&qid=1601754913&sr=8-2" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Pre-order Now</span></b></a></p>Mireillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958225752322706613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1125729123080137595.post-64053628691896468392020-08-07T10:59:00.002-07:002020-08-07T10:59:46.003-07:00It's Been Two Years: Our Make a Wish Journey<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>Today, Facebook reminded me that two years ago, Anthony received his welcome package from the <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWQYvOI5tjTxakMWR11I_HqXu8w56fmJgexdta12koW_dNJulpvrFjMKyaio-2o4SaVm4smF383fNWGgPJalGRljuUIcRKee-_ILKbDSgH-GnfTLDEmZ4TK1XvHzGbnOFkT0-2yTZ0Pl6/s1080/welcome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: block; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWQYvOI5tjTxakMWR11I_HqXu8w56fmJgexdta12koW_dNJulpvrFjMKyaio-2o4SaVm4smF383fNWGgPJalGRljuUIcRKee-_ILKbDSgH-GnfTLDEmZ4TK1XvHzGbnOFkT0-2yTZ0Pl6/w210-h210/welcome.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>Make a Wish Foundation. It was an emotional day for all of us. Anthony got an envelope full of booklets and fun things to help guide him in choosing his wish.<p></p><p>Since then, we have met so many amazing people with some of the biggest hearts in the world. From the Make a Wish team, to other Make a Wish families, to the RCMP personel who surprised Anthony with fishing gear and other gifts, to all the volunteers and donors at the fundraisers we've attended... we will never be able to say thank you enough times or loud enough to show how much gratitude we feel.</p><p>Now, because of Covid, all of the Make a Wish fundraising get togethers had to be cancelled. We were </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CnVpMU8p9zYhc1u8bXhs9iWj9hc_qVsTkjtrDNu-oi6qhHJhdNOOXp9nWncWTylRbedwDgmlTcdtmYypIax8cQerFuH573tuP1zzAW7tdquUlo2iVow5ZuIOkHli5QGaP1v1FWespN7y/s960/46486354_2068031109926587_7751943982438940672_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CnVpMU8p9zYhc1u8bXhs9iWj9hc_qVsTkjtrDNu-oi6qhHJhdNOOXp9nWncWTylRbedwDgmlTcdtmYypIax8cQerFuH573tuP1zzAW7tdquUlo2iVow5ZuIOkHli5QGaP1v1FWespN7y/w198-h263/46486354_2068031109926587_7751943982438940672_n.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>scheduled to be at at least one of these to share our story. Because we can't, I decided to share the speech I was set to give here in hopes that it reaches some people and inspires them to also become a part of the Make a Wish family, whether is is in form of donor or volunteer. For more information the the Make a Wish organization itself, head over to their website <a href="https://makeawish.ca/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<p></p><p><br /></p><p>Hello everyone,</p><p>I’d like to start by thanking Allyson for inviting us to tell our story tonight. Anthony's journey started 5 weeks earlier than it should have. We were fortunate to have an easy delivery and no subsequent complications. We started life as new parents hopeful and completely in love with our little man. It turns out, no book out there could have prepared us for what was about to happen.</p><p>The first 18 months of his life were hard, but we were told by our family doctor at the time, normal. A </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1f14VaBmWrjrJWYbevN-qL5JNuDzFnFWHsv_kFx6a4gAIzIdo4jrY_mY_R3GDQ288er-j4skXV6GZMYmaQhQiyrX0tOMQ9Ta5ifRoANSqPesJDdGH1XcKvvzYMPOE7G6mmhwQy_lal3AW/s960/65294154_2414327281963633_5440759700356333568_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: block; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1f14VaBmWrjrJWYbevN-qL5JNuDzFnFWHsv_kFx6a4gAIzIdo4jrY_mY_R3GDQ288er-j4skXV6GZMYmaQhQiyrX0tOMQ9Ta5ifRoANSqPesJDdGH1XcKvvzYMPOE7G6mmhwQy_lal3AW/w262-h197/65294154_2414327281963633_5440759700356333568_n.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>lot of new babies don't sleep. A lot of babies scream 10 hours a day, it’s just colic. When Anthony failed to hit any of his growth and advancement markers like sitting, talking, walking, we were told, well, he's a boy. He'll catch up. (Side note, we got a new family doctor)<p></p><p>When he was 18 months old, Anthony died. What started out as a fun family visit at his gramma and papa's turned into every parent's worst nightmare. We had laid him down for his nap. He was crying, which was usual, when suddenly he stopped. Not his usual calm down to a whimper then fall asleep cry. Just stopped. We checked on him and saw he'd thrown up. After cleaning him up, we noticed he wasn’t himself. He didn’t seem to be seeing us in front of him. His eyes rolled back into his head and he stopped breathing. Now, my husband Kyle is the best driver I know. That afternoon, you’d have argued with me over that statement. I don’t think it took us more than three minutes to get from his parent's house to the Victoria hospital. I remember passing someone on the wrong side, going over a corner when traffic stopped. I remember my baby turning blue in my arms.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4xcwodh0SwkYe3eJJykcvhZFbYuMJpQQuFPhmmtDlUaDUyep1zl38Lib_KHMEWIiD69bdAcWfo0F2J5-TDCIE7nL0EkrpaI61eEN6l9Bq7hR8B7kH0plt85bvYHPFtwsIjEO1yZVgOP9/s960/65489639_2414331935296501_1995590158186971136_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4xcwodh0SwkYe3eJJykcvhZFbYuMJpQQuFPhmmtDlUaDUyep1zl38Lib_KHMEWIiD69bdAcWfo0F2J5-TDCIE7nL0EkrpaI61eEN6l9Bq7hR8B7kH0plt85bvYHPFtwsIjEO1yZVgOP9/w197-h262/65489639_2414331935296501_1995590158186971136_n.jpg" width="197" /></a></div>When we got to the hospital, the nurses grabbed Anthony from Kyle's arms. There is no describing the feeling of watching your child get whisked away and them not letting you in the room. Of hearing the words Pediatrics to the ER. Code blue, code blue. There is no room more terrible than that little room they put you in while you wait to find out if your son will survive<p></p><p>Thankfully, the staff at the hospital that day were amazing and we will forever be grateful to them for bringing Anthony back to us.</p><p>The next couple of years after that day were filled with diagnoses and information overloads. But it didn’t matter, because Anthony was alive and we were finally getting answers. MRIs, EEGs, and specialist galore later, Anthony was diagnosed with cerebral palsy with autistic tendencies and an uncontrolled seizure disorder. With his cerebral palsy, he has partial left side hemiplagia which means he is partially paralyzed on his left side. As for the autism, he hates new places, big crowds, loud noises… so events like these are pretty much his worst nightmare. But he’s a trooper and I’m so proud of him for being here. Uncontrolled seizure disorder pretty much explains itself. We can never stop them all. All we do is try to manage the worst of them.</p><p>There have been many trips to the ER and overnight hospital stays but thankfully, none </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYYu9TaUgTof73BNzV42R2Aky8wqSmDsZsB3cISkaf9WEjGQ1zJWICVVTqWPpRdEsWmgY9o6z7reeTmLaUyqQcA5sMqrDt82jiZOuHdalkM7r-YbrnC43eATTOZJa3CqsfqeybOmN4vt2/s960/75204598_2688855247844167_3678346640973889536_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: block; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYYu9TaUgTof73BNzV42R2Aky8wqSmDsZsB3cISkaf9WEjGQ1zJWICVVTqWPpRdEsWmgY9o6z7reeTmLaUyqQcA5sMqrDt82jiZOuHdalkM7r-YbrnC43eATTOZJa3CqsfqeybOmN4vt2/w246-h328/75204598_2688855247844167_3678346640973889536_n.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>as serious as that first time. Now that we know what to watch for, what triggers the seizures, what affects his medication, and what we need to do when they happen, we’ve managed to catch them before things get as extreme as when he was 18 months. We learned he'd been having seizures since he was born, but they were the small ones we weren't able to see. Just like right now. With medication keeping away the worst of the seizures, Anthony's most current EEG shows he still has 6 to 10 seizures per minute.<p></p><p>Because of this, concentrating on things is hard. It has made speaking a challenge. If you have the pleasure of meeting Anthony, you’ll find a compassionate young man who wants to be friends with everyone, but is hesitant because of his speech impediment.</p><p>One thing he will tell you is that he loves the power rangers, paw patrol, his animals, his xbox, the raiders, the color red, anything to do with police officers and police dogs, and most of all, above all else, he loves fishing. Fishing is his peace. His happy place. While he is fishing, things are quiet. There isn’t a lot of talking. It's just him and the fish. And he is good at catching those big pike.</p><p>I was encouraged to contact Make a Wish by another mom of a boy with cerebral palsy and epilepsy I met online. I filled out the application and then didn’t think much about it.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRtC5tLy_xsi1HLp0rnpYJOzcD9v81-OTE-Ff0zDtp4nUGMWqIQuAXkeOwQ5k9KcP8as7HmFxNebvfzVT3JNsXQ7Qo0ZEISDB_QPQMFMCdH0lQ74MUugonHVCpJV47Cxjy6UkWZz020iX/s960/79435433_2764293270300364_665540968182710272_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRtC5tLy_xsi1HLp0rnpYJOzcD9v81-OTE-Ff0zDtp4nUGMWqIQuAXkeOwQ5k9KcP8as7HmFxNebvfzVT3JNsXQ7Qo0ZEISDB_QPQMFMCdH0lQ74MUugonHVCpJV47Cxjy6UkWZz020iX/w246-h328/79435433_2764293270300364_665540968182710272_n.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>To say I was shocked and excited when they contacted me to let me know Anthony had been approved would be a gross understatement on my part. We made plans to meet with Allyson. All the while, I was nervous. Anthony had decided on his wish, but all the wishes I heard of were for trips or to meet people. I was scared that what he wanted wasn’t something he would be able to get.<p></p><p>I mean, how in the world would the Make a Wish team be able to get him his own fishing boat? And not just any fishing boat. A red one.</p><p>When Allyson and Aissa sent me the pictures of Anthony's new boat, I cried. They had done it. Somehow, these amazing angels had found some equally amazing people at Rally Motors and they had come together to get Anthony a red fishing boat.</p><p>Since getting his boat, we've found that Anthony has been more willing to talk to people he doesn’t usually talk to. All we have to do is bring up his boat. Oh, and he will be quick to make sure you know that that is HIS boat. If he catches his dad doing any work to it, he is outside in a flash to supervise and make sure he approves what's being done to HIS boat. Want to hear him laugh? Ask him how the first time he and his dad took out the boat Anthony untied the line so when his dad went to pull the boat in, the rope came and the boat floated off. You guessed it. Dad had to swim after the boat and was all wet for the ride home… funny story for Anthony, not so funny for dad.</p><p>Anthony will never drive a car, own a house…. Won't have the usual ‘future' other kids his age will have. But what he does have, is his red fishing boat, and we will eternally be thankful to everyone who was involved in making this wish become a reality for him. It may seem like such a small thing, but to us, to Anthony, it is everything.</p><p>So thank you again, Allyson and everyone at Make a Wish and to all of you who came today. Without people to support and donate time, funds and resources, there is no way these wishes would be possible.</p><p>Thank you.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsuXhnwkynUYeM4cL8HQGGo1lxs6xzSEziIqaTywf6kEwAF3l0m9SViRRa_k9WjOqedIy_azX1dmwqgQyV9v9eQu9Rr1M4FwAtLytHX7CY46_3d0CMD0GH5UqZdCM_sOrGpr82lazvLE7/s1728/66450974_2429128623816832_4596666616577523712_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: block; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="1728" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsuXhnwkynUYeM4cL8HQGGo1lxs6xzSEziIqaTywf6kEwAF3l0m9SViRRa_k9WjOqedIy_azX1dmwqgQyV9v9eQu9Rr1M4FwAtLytHX7CY46_3d0CMD0GH5UqZdCM_sOrGpr82lazvLE7/w512-h384/66450974_2429128623816832_4596666616577523712_o.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><p></p>Mireillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958225752322706613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1125729123080137595.post-4410350928764625892020-07-05T23:00:00.001-07:002020-07-05T23:00:05.029-07:00Elizabeth Kirke’s Magic Vanished cover reveal!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfGPbvsML_dac3Z2klEotAW9oZfIMnXDgPQJvcmfqu7QjyExQbF7qgzRn78rUYE2cNLBTmIQvdXK9_S-natYl7aUPnFcLWVUy1NIXKaMDTAXXeLGGvdYlI0tV5Zw6kGd8y_G0EziEoPts/s2700/Magic+Vanished+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfGPbvsML_dac3Z2klEotAW9oZfIMnXDgPQJvcmfqu7QjyExQbF7qgzRn78rUYE2cNLBTmIQvdXK9_S-natYl7aUPnFcLWVUy1NIXKaMDTAXXeLGGvdYlI0tV5Zw6kGd8y_G0EziEoPts/s320/Magic+Vanished+v2.jpg" /></a></div>Coming July 20th - Magic Vanished -- Just $0.99 and available on Kindle Unlimited <div><br /></div><div> The next victim will be one of their own…
They say it took one hundred magical beings to defeat the first Arcanist. Great care was taken to ensure the secret to his malevolent power died with him. Now the brutal reign of the Arcanist has become little more than a scary bedtime story. And yet, the descendants of his loyal followers are sworn to find a way to bestow his dark magic upon another. If they succeed, they’ll unleash a new terror upon an unsuspecting world.
After defeating the dark wizard, Jen hoped the string of mysterious disappearances would stop. Yet when another person goes missing, she is forced to reopen the case. This time the stakes are higher than ever with the latest victim being one of her closest friends. Determined to unravel the mystery, Jen throws herself into a web of darkness few have ever escaped. </div><div> </div><div>Magic Vanished is Book Two in the Urban Fantasy series, Rise of the Arcanist, featuring witches, vampires, werewolves, and more. It is a New Adult spin-off of USA Today Bestselling author Elizabeth Kirke’s award-winning More than Magic series. If you like your paranormal mixed with a little mystery and true friendship, dive into your copy today.
Rise of the Arcanist is a six book serial, with each installment releasing a month apart. You do *not have to read the original More than Magic trilogy to enjoy it.*</div><div><br /></div><div>https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08B8SPZZP
</div>Mireillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958225752322706613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1125729123080137595.post-70273990051076459192020-01-08T10:29:00.000-08:002020-01-08T10:29:11.859-08:00BLACK HOLLOW: FINDING HER KINGS<br />
(The Drakki Chronicles #2 & Road to Hell series #5)<br />
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<br />
BLURB<br />
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When an MMA fighter crosses paths with the head of a diamond empire as well as a demon from Hell, more than sparks will fly.<br />
<br />
Frankie Bordeaux-Smith is content with her life out of the ring until a knock on her door thrusts her into the world of princesses and unicorns. According to the Romeros, she’s both, and now someone wants her dead.<br />
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Mated to each other, King and Hitchcock are settled in Black Hollow, running their coffee shop and diamond business. That is, until their quiet world is shattered by… a nun?<br />
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As assassins drift into the peaceful paranormal town, can the demon and dragon keep a unicorn alive while figuring out the latest twist of fate to their hearts?<br />
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One-click now to see if this modern day princess has found her kings!<br />
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Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/47E6v8<br />
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<br />Mireillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958225752322706613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1125729123080137595.post-71691564573437043832019-12-09T11:05:00.002-08:002019-12-09T11:05:49.452-08:00Exhaustion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There are so many ways to feel tired. Mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually... being tired is never a great feeling. When you're tired in all these departments, you're not tired anymore. You're exhausted.<br />
<br />
Today, I woke up after two hours of sleep completely drained. My body hurts, my head hurts. My heart hurts. I am without a doubt, exhausted. I know a lot of people follow along with Anthony's story and while I always try to post positive, happy, and funny things, every once in a while, I'll pop a negative tidbit in there. I mean, let's face it. My kid has not just one, but three health conditions. Life isn't always going to be roses.<br />
<br />
About a month ago, Anthony started to have dizzy spells. Some minor. Some major enough he would fall and sometimes throw up. We did some blood work, but his medication levels seemed to be where they were supposed to be. The only thing out of the ordinary was a low white blood count. Now, before you panic, one of his medications can cause this. It can also cause dizziness. Because his med levels were normal, his neurologist sent us to our family doctor (neuro is an hour and a half away in a different city) to get checked out.<br />
<br />
One physical later, and Anthony was given a clean bill of health, minus the dizzy spells. Our family doctor decided that the best way to rule out the carbamazapine was to lower the dose. If he was suddenly showing two side effects of that medications he'd never experienced before, then maybe it was the culprit. Of course, that meant that with a lower med level in his system, we'd have to watch for seizures.<br />
<br />
I'm not going to lie. I was hopeful. I thought, well, if the medication is making him feel like this, then maybe he doesn't need to be on that high a dose. Maybe the rest of the meds he was on were enough to keep the worst seizures away.<br />
<br />
A week after we lowered the dose, the dizzy spells went away. I thought, "Awesome!".<br />
<br />
A week after that, and we started to notice small changes. He had more trouble sleeping. He was quick to get upset. <br />
<br />
It's been one more week since that second week and there's no denying it. He's having more seizures. Not the ones where he loses conciousness and stops breathing, but the ones he has right before he has those bad ones. He's not sleeping because of them which leaves him exhausted and moody, and just not in a good place. He has to stop what he's doing multiple times a day because of them. There's nothing like your teenage boy yelling "mom" in a panicked voice as he runs to the nearest bed so he can lay down in case he falls.<br />
<br />
It's been an exhausting month. And yes. I know I'm using that word a lot. I'm too exhausted to think of a different one.<br />
<br />
Last night, we gave him his higher dose of medication.<br />
<br />
This morning, I woke up crying. Because I'm tired. Because I've only gotten a couple hours of sleep per night the past month. Because now, Anthony is going to feel gross while his system gets used to the higher level of medication. Because it's going to take at least a week for the higher levels to help bring down the number of seizures. Because, after all of this, was it even the carbamazapine that caused the dizziness? Did I just put my son through three weeks of mental and physical hell for nothing? I don't know. I have no fucking clue.<br />
<br />
In two weeks, we have an appointment in Saskatoon with his neurologist. Maybe the dizzy spells will be back by then. Maybe they're gone forever. Until then, we'll just try to rest and stay positive.<br />
<br />
Anyway. That's my Anthony update for now. And don't worry. I'm sure something cute or funny will happen soon and I'll be sure to let you all in on it.<br />
<br />
Have a good week and stay safe. <3Mireillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958225752322706613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1125729123080137595.post-73568719938133135752019-08-06T05:00:00.000-07:002019-08-06T05:00:07.577-07:00#teasertuesday Displaced<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Just a little something for you on this Teaser Tuesday. :D </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“Kendall, please. Sit down.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">He barely glanced at Jasper before resuming
his pacing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What’s taking so long?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“Kendall, I need you to sit down so I can
heal your face.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hayden blew an
exasperated breath out of her nose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“I’m fine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“You are not fine!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She walked into his path and he was forced to
stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before he could move, she’d
pulled a green healing wave from the air and pressed it onto his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">He hissed as the cut over his eye repaired
itself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“Here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Brice handed him a shot of jeckden and a mug of sloan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Kendall shot back the first and gulped down
the second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The alcohol did nothing to
ease the heavy feeling in his chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
sat heavily, his face in his hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“I need you to try, Hayden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve done it twice now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can do it again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“Kendall, I can’t!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first time was an accident and this last
time I knew who I was moving and to where.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can’t send you to Thistendal on purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no point of reference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if I send you in the complete opposite
direction?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“I can’t just sit here!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He resumed his pacing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Everyone looked up as the door opened to
reveal Marilynn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her eyes found
Kendall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Is the bluebird telling the
truth?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">He nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I need to get to Thistendal. I need to bring them home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The high sorceress ran her hands over her
face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t have the power to send
you that far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one does.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“Hayden does!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The words echoed in the cabin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took a long deep breath to calm
himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sorry, Hayden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I….”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He swallowed hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">She hugged him close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s alright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll figure it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“What if you, Marilynn, and Rainen got
together?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brice took a drink of his
sloan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Marilynn shook her head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“While we’d likely have enough magic, we have
no idea what Thistendal is like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For us
to displace that far, we’d need an exact point of reference to focus on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“There has to be away.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kendall looked from one sorceress to the
other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“The Gysps?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing how torn his friend was, Jasper tried
not to laugh at Hayden’s glare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’d
never forgiven the sea faring folk for calling her cursed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“Maybe.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Marilynn chewed on her lip thoughtfully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Though they won’t be back on our shores for at least another three
months.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Kendall poured himself another shot of
jeckden and made it disappear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s
too long.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“Wait!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hayden’s grin gave him hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
anyone was going to be able to figure something out, it was going to be
Hayden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I know how you’ll get
there!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She stood on her tiptoes and
kissed his cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Go home, clean up,
and pack your bags. I have an idea but it will take me a day to see if it will
work.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">He frowned, though her excitement was
starting to rub off on him. “What are you thinking?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">She shook her head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Just come back tomorrow. I don’t want to get
your hopes up in case it doesn’t work.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She gave him another hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Now,
go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Mireillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958225752322706613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1125729123080137595.post-25210706054356754762019-07-28T20:45:00.001-07:002019-07-28T20:45:11.964-07:00Sneak Peek Chapter : DisplacedAs some of you have heard, I've been working on Displaced for the last little while. When I released it a couple of yours ago, I shouldn't have. For lack of a better word, it was terrible. Now, don't get me wrong, I love the story and the characters, but they (and you) deserved better than the half-assed thrown together "novel" I put out there. Thankfully, I was smart enough to hit the unpublish button almost as quickly as I pushed the publish one, and only a handful of people managed to read it.<br />
<br />
So. For those of you who love Quelondain and Hayden's Sageden pack, I want to thank all of you for keeping the faith you seem to have in me.<br />
<br />
I'm hoping to have ARCs of the newly finished Displaced out at the end of August/beginning of September with a release at the end of September/beginning of October. Until then, I'll be sure to post teasers and snippets to keep you entertained.<br />
<br />
Here's a little something for you on this beautiful Sunday night. <br />
<br />
content warning: this contains adult situations<br />
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Neeka shut her bedroom door as quietly as she could. She’d managed to avoid her sister most of the day and had made sure to tend the bar as long as possible to make sure Hanna would be sleeping when she came to bed.<br />
Her sister knew, she was sure of it. The instant she’d walked back into the inn with her vegetables, her sister had known. How, she wasn’t sure. She’d sent Kendall to get water for the lunch soup, something they usually did together, but she’d had to put some distance between them.<br />
She’d thought that being with him would cure her of the need she felt when it he was around. She’d been wrong. So wrong. Had it not been for the fact that the vegetables had to be back in time for lunch, she would have spent the entire day exploring his body and all the different ways she was sure he could make her explode.<br />
She lay on her bed and pulled the covers up. Closing her eyes, she listened to her sister’s breathing. Sleeping. Taking a quick look to make sure the blanket that spread between them was in place, Neeka let herself think of the morning’s events. <br />
Bloody hell. What had she been thinking? She was intended. She hadn’t been completely sure he would take her, though she had been fairly confident he’d felt the attraction.<br />
She had hoped that having him would satisfy her curiosity, her need to have him touch her. If anything, it had combusted the urges and set her on fire.<br />
It had been all she could do not to drag him back to the forest to have a second go at him. Thankfully, he seemed to have been affected the same way.<br />
There had been no hesitation, no question as he’d led up into the hay loft and bent her over a bale of hay. The feel of him sliding in and out combined with her anticipation of how she knew he was able to make her feel had her cumming in a few short minutes. He’d held her from behind, his lips dropping soft kisses on the back of her neck.<br />
She’d giggled at his apology. There was no need to be sorry. She’d wanted it just as much as him.<br />
If pretending she wasn’t interested in him prior to this had been hard, it was now nearly impossible. She’d caught more than one of Christopher’s men eyeing them.<br />
Maybe it was her overactive imagination, but she was sure everyone knew. <br />
Her thoughts wandered back to the hay loft and her fingers traveled down to the heat that was rising between her legs.<br />
The breeze had blown into the barn and she was sure he’d caught her scent. His nostrils had flared, his light blue eyes locking on hers. No words had been spoken. One moment they were staring at each other, the next, they were in the loft. His fingers had made quick work of the laces on both of their pants. He’d pushed into her with a sigh that had her moaning. He was perfect. It was almost as though they’d been doing this every day for years. <br />
She thought of how his thighs had felt on the backs of hers, how his hands had gripped her hips and pulled her back to penetrate her deeper still.<br />
Her fingers pushed on her sweet spot and she clenched her teeth, desperate to stay quiet as she exploded in her memory and in her room.<br />
She lay like a puddle of jelly in her bed, her breathing settling back to normal. By the moons, what was happening to her? She’d lost her mind, to be sure. She’d lost her bloody mind.<br />
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Mireillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958225752322706613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1125729123080137595.post-72772283462508896482019-07-13T07:15:00.000-07:002019-07-13T07:15:12.205-07:00DICK (The Private Dick series Book 1)blog tour<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Bourbon, beads, and blood.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">KING</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Phuck is the king of New Orleans. A demon who offers immortality for loyalty and respect. As president of the Voodoo Dawgs MC, he’s become as iconic to Nawlins’ citizens as the French Quarter. With Voodoo Mama and his brothers at his side, he’s untouchable, his power limitless. But when one of his demon brothers is discovered murdered, his life is about to be shaken up in ways he could’ve never anticipated.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">SHERIFF</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Enzo is a sheriff, a shifter with a badge, who’s lost his power and the respect of the citizens of New Orleans. Betrayed by those he trusted, he’s fallen into disgrace, unable to remain sober long enough to pull himself together. When one of Phuck’s men is found dead, Enzo calls in the big guns to help solve the murder.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">DICK</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Panther shifter Detective Natalia Cortes arrives to investigate a demonic killing in NOLA. It’s not just any homicide, but the murder of a demon who happens to be part of the Voodoo Dawgs MC. The self-appointed King of New Orleans doesn’t want her there, but she feels his heated gaze. The sheriff needs her help to solve the case, but the more time he spends with her, the more he wants to claim her as his mate.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Welcome to the Dark Days and Voodoo Nights of New Orleans!</span><br />
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<br />
When I found out that Gracen Miller was releasing a new book, I knew I had to get my hands on it. She's become one of my favorite go to authors. She never disappoints. <br />
Dick is a great story filled with action, romance, and fantastic sex scenes. The characters a relatable and emotional.<br />
Once I started reading, I couldn't put the book down.<br />
Another five star story from an amazing author and her partner in crime. I'll definitely be looking into Julie Morgan and reading more of her stories. Mireillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958225752322706613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1125729123080137595.post-23189643696048014582018-11-07T08:39:00.000-08:002018-11-07T08:39:12.810-08:00It's been a year, so here's a short story!Well, it's been a year since I've posted anything and I thought, what the hell, let's give the people something to read. lol This October, I was going to enter a short story in a contest. As life likes to do, it happened, and the story was never submitted. It did, however, give me the idea for a longer story, but it's going to be a while before that one gets done. So, here you are. I had to keep the story to under 2500 words, and let me tell you, that was hard to do. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Commander Cheryl</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Cheryl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m just checking in to let you know I’m on
my way back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re thick out here
today.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">All I hear is dead space in my headset. My
throat tightens and the adrenaline surge threatens to choke me. It's flight or fight
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem is that we're fighting
an enemy that can kill us with a look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And running? It's hard to outrun everyone you've ever known, almost each
and every person you've met or will ever meet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Cheryl? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come in!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">The thought of my cousin hurt, or worse,
makes the bile in my stomach rise and I swallow it back down with a gag.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">A faint crackle in my ears has my heart
flipping in my chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Mi… safe…. South… go…"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“What? You're breaking up. Repeat!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">I duck involuntarily as something to the
north explodes. Was that us, or them? I glance around what’s left of the mall
I’m standing in. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The roof has collapsed
and rubble lays scattered throughout, some of it wet from rain and damaged
water pipes, a lot of them red with blood. A quiet sob makes its way to me. The
butterflies in my stomach start to crash into each other. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Is it a trap?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">A small girl, her red dress muddied and
torn, limps past my hiding place. I wince at the blood scabbed to the side of
her face. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m just about to step out and
ask if she's okay when she snaps her fingers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">I stop breathing. Fire Thrower. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why the hell couldn’t I have got a cool power
like that? But, no. I got speed which would be all fine and dandy if Fire Throwers,
Lightning Makers, and pretty much every other power out there couldn’t be
thrown at me almost as fast as I could run. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">A small group of military looking guys sneak
in through a hole in the Knickknacks store’s outer wall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">The Fire Thrower turns and unleashes
fireball after fireball. One, maybe two of them, are Shields.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One soldier screams as a fireball punches
into him, the heat of the flames burning through him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Mi…. Help…” Cheryl's voice is still
cutting out. Help who? Her? The soldiers? Cheryl's power has a distance limit. Sending
her thoughts through radio waves is pretty neat, but if she’s too far away or
too tired, she's out of luck. I’m not sure what’s causing the disruption at
this very moment, but I’m hoping it’s just distance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">I take a deep breath and roll my shoulders.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cheryl or no Cheryl, it’s easy to see
the soldiers aren’t government zombies and the kid is. She walks past me again,
getting closer to the guys. Her attention diverted, I use what I’ve been given
and run. It happens fast. So fast. I still feel every millisecond of it. The
thickness of her bloody hair, the coolness of her forehead, the dry crust of
the scab on her temple. The warmth of the knife in my hand, the slight
hesitation of the blade as I pushed it through her neck… the heat of her blood spilling
over my fingers. The smell of iron overtakes everything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">My stomach heaves and the little bit of oatmeal
I had for breakfast comes rushing back up. Someone hands me a bottle of water.
I spit out as many chunks as I can before pouring water over my head and into
my mouth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Fucking zombies.” I’m trying to convince
myself I’m still a good person, that it was us or her, but I’m having trouble talking
myself into it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just killed a kid. I
resist the urge to look back and instead look at the soldier who handed me the
water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“You okay?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The only thing I can tell about him is that he's a man. These guys are
covered from head to toe in gear designed to try and keep them alive.
Obviously, it doesn't always work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Yeah. I’m good. Did Cheryl send you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">He nods. “We were doing a sweep and she
asked us to check on you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Thanks.” It’s definitely a bonus that my
cousin was the voice of the Asskickers. I can’t help the laughter as I think of
the resistance’s name. It had been an inside joke between Cheryl and I. Somehow
it had spread and stuck. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">The soldiers all look at me, but I can't tell
if it’s in amusement or worry. I manage to pull myself together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Where is she?” I inquire after clearing my
throat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“They’ve set up camp just south of the
city.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Water bottle guy extends his hand out to me
and I let him help me up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Thanks for that.” His gratitude might have
been followed by a smile, but it’s hard to tell behind the mask and goggles.
“I’m not sure how much more my shield would have taken.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Mi…” Cheryl interrupted us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“I’m okay, Cheryl.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Package acquired, ma’am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On our way back.” The other shield in the
group gestures with his head and we follow behind him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">I chuckle and Water Bottle gives a quick
glance in my direction. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“She hates being called ma’am.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">He nods to show he's heard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">It’s been a long five days of scouting and
I don’t argue when Shield One announces we'll be stopping for the break. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I move ahead and come back before Mouse (the
quiet one who has yet to talk) notices. He jumps as I reappear beside him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“There's a gas station one block ahead,” I
whisper to them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Water Bottle nods when Shield One looks at
him. Mouse does the same. Hard gloved fingers dig into my arm as I start to
walk past One. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“No more lone runner shit,“ he growls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">I yank free of his hold. “Lone runner shit
is my job.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“And my job is to get you back to Commander
Cheryl. “<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">I scoff, ready to get into it with Captain
Better than Thou, but Water Bottle steps between us. Inhaling deeply, I count
to ten. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without a word, I dart back to
gas station.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">When the guys show up, I’m laying on my
blankets and eating a disgusting protein bar. I don’t have to see One's face to
know he's pissed. His head turns towards me and this time, Water Bottle has to
physically push him back. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">I toss One a protein bar and it hits his
shoulder before falling to the ground, ignored. He shoves Water Bottle away
before stalking off to the back of the store.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Is he always wound so tight?” I inquire when
the second shield sits beside me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“We lost four guys this time out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">He doesn’t need to say anything else. Watching
someone you’ve gotten to know get killed was something you didn’t get over. It
was why I did my scouting alone. I’d already lost too many friends. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“So, what did you do before all this, Water
Bottle?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Water Bottle?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Yeah. You're Water Bottle, that's Shield
One, and that guy is Mouse.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Why Mouse?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“He’s quiet. You know… quiet as a mouse?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Water Bottle chuckles, pulling off his head
gear so he can eat the bar I hand him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“My name's Rhett and I used to be a roofer.”
He wipes the sweat from his brow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">I dig deep into my pack to find a few of
the bite sized chocolate bars I keep for special occasions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hand one to him. “Nice to meet you, Rhett. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m Mi.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Turning to the back of the store, I toss a
chocolate over the counter. “Incoming, Shield One!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">There's a short pause then the sound of a
wrapper crinkling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ross.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Glad he's taken my peace offering, I turn
to Mouse. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“What the…” Before anyone can react, I have
my hands around the third man's neck. Using my momentum, I manage to get him up
against the wall. Somewhere in the back of my mind I tell myself I’m about to
die. I have no idea what his power is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Mi!” Rhett manages to pull me off, but I
slip out of his hold and smash Mouse's head into the wall once again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“You! You did this!” I can barely choke the
words out past the sobs the anger and shock are causing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">It takes both Rhett and Ross to get me off.
Ross shoves me toward Rhett who gets me in a bear hug I can't get out of. I try
to use my knee to kick Rhett in the groin, but I don't have enough room to do
any damage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“It's alright. Let her go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Even the sound of his voice is enough to reactivate
the fury that had been waning. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“I'm going to let you go, but don’t do
anything stupid.” Rhett slowly releases his hold and I wait until I have enough
room to turn before charging again. I hit an invisible force and hear him sigh
behind me before he reaches down to help me up. “I'm not letting it down until
you get a hold of yourself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">The urge to kill is still prevalent, but
one collision with an invisible force is enough to let me know I don’t want to
do it again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">I turn to Mouse and jerk away when Rhett puts
a hand on my shoulder. All I can see is the traitor before me. The man who
thought he could play god. The piece of shit who poisoned the drinking water
with the virus that triggered everyone's powers. He was the reason my family was
dead. He was the reason some of us were walking around like zombies with only
the urge to kill on their minds. We’d been the testing subjects for what was
supposed to be the new and improved soldier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What the government hadn’t counted on was the fact that the people who
turned zombielike couldn’t be controlled and those of us who still had our wits
about us weren’t going to be used in their sick game. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“You’re supposed to be at the bottom of a
lake!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“It was decided that letting me live was a
far worse punishment.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">In a moment of pure childishness, my brain
changed his name from Mouse to Shitface.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“I’m doing what I can to right what I did
wrong.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“How?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“By helping those that need it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">I look at Ross before glancing back to
Rhett. Both of them nod. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“I’m hoping that soon, this will all feel
like a bad dream.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">I scoff and turn to Rhett. “Let me out. I
am not staying here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“You can’t just head out there on your
own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s going to be dark within the
hour.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">I walk past him, my arms out in front of
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My fingers touch the shield.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I need some air.” It’s just a whisper, but
he takes my arm and escorts me outside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“What’s that?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">I look up and try to find what he’s
pointing to in the sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Wait. Is that a
plane?” The city has been a no-fly zone for months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I press the talk button on my coms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Cheryl. Come in.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Hey! Are you guys almost back?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Not Quite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do me a favor and look up and to the west.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">There’s a short pause as she does what I
ask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Is that a plane?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More silence as she talks to those physically
around her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Rhett and I are joined by Ross as
everyone’s coms receive some muffled voices under a wave of static.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Cheryl’s cutting in on the plane’s
transmission and letting everyone hear what she’s hearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s one of the things the Asskickers love
about her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are no secrets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“… Doctor Banks wasn’t lying, Senator. It’s
a warzone down there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Understood. Come back to base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Operation Earthworm starts at oh six
hundred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever else was going to be said is lost as
Cheryl cuts off the signal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">I sprint back into the gas station,
thankful Rhett had dropped his shield.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I don’t think so!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I throw
myself at Banks and he drops to the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You lying piece of shit! You’ve been here spying on us!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Mi, I know you’re losing it right now, but
we need him alive.” Somehow, my cousin’s voice penetrates through the red haze
I’m in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">A hand touches my shoulder and I turn,
still swinging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of hitting flesh
or even a solid shield, my arm seems to get sucked into extra thick jelly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“It’s just me.” Rhett’s eyes meet mine and
he lets his shield down completely to release my limb.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">All of us fall to our knees as Cheryl’s
voice explodes in our heads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“EVERYONE
BACK TO BASE!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her apology is softer,
but we all understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That message was
meant to carry to every one of us still out in the city.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Where are they picking you up?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ross yanks Banks’ head back by the hair. The
doctor’s face is a bloody mess and I don’t feel any regret.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“I have to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Please let me go.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Rhett winds up and kicks him in the
gut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m about to do the same when a
distant explosion makes me pause.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Banks starts to sob.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s… it’s too late…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Ross lets go of him and we watch as the
grown man curls into a ball and gives up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Cheryl?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Yeah.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“It doesn’t sound like we have until
morning.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Can you make it back?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">I shake my head then remember she can’t see
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Three more explosions go off, each one
closer than the last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I climb up onto
the roof of the store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rhett and Ross
settle beside me on the edge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Looks like they had a plan in case their
shit show didn’t go well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cheryl,
they’re blowing it up from under ground. “<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">A few scattered people climb up to see how
they’re going to die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strangely, the
only one who seems to be panicking is Doctor Banks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or, maybe not strangely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somewhere in the back of our minds, we all
knew this day was a possibility.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">In the news tomorrow, people will have
their coffee and toast and talk to each other how horrible that something like
this could happen. And I have no idea what they’ll blame it on… a terrorist
attack? A sink hole? One hell of a gas leak explosion?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who knows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, maybe Banks knows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Hey, cuz?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m still here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“I’m glad we both made it until now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Me too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mi?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Yeah.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Love you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">I can hear her voice tighten and I have to
clear my throat before I tell her I feel the same.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">The underground charges are going off in
precise lines and the city is dropping in an eerily beautiful wave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">One of the blasts shakes the gas station
and I close my eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next set will
be ours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ross and Rhett put their arms
around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rumble starts far to our
left and I take one last deep breath. I think of Bank beneath us soaked in
blood and tears and I smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">“Goodbye, Cheryl.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Mireillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958225752322706613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1125729123080137595.post-5574502623418564152017-11-26T11:38:00.000-08:002018-07-27T22:09:28.143-07:00Weird Dreams: episode fourToday's weird dream is brought to you by a granola bar eaten at three in the morning...<br /><br /><i>I'm at a restaurant with my family. Me, Kyle, the kids, some of our cousins and their kids. Everyone is eating and talking. I smile. I love being with my family. In a dark corner, I notice a man staring at us. I can't tell what he looks like because he's got a bunny hug on and a baseball hat. Everything he's wearing is black. He takes a sip of coffee and his eyes meet mine. Somehow, I know I'm supposed to go to him. </i><br /><br /><i>I get up, telling Kyle the man is here and I'll be right back. He tells me to be careful. No one can see what's happening. I can tell he's watching me as I get up and head to the bathroom. A few minutes later, I hear the door open and someone walks in. </i><br /><br /><i>"I'm in here."</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>The man's footsteps enter the stall next to mine. "You're sure your family is ready for this?"</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>I nod even though he can't see me. "We are."</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>He hands me a small package from under the divider. "You have five hours."</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>I hear him leave and take my time exiting the bathroom with the cell phone sized package tucked in my back pocket.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Kyle exhales the breath he's been holding as I sit back down beside him. Everyone is looking at me.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"We have five hours." I pull the package out, taking the elastic off that's holding instructions against it. </i><br /><i><br /></i><i><b>Welcome</b></i><br /><b><i>The rules are simple.</i></b><br /><b><i>1. take the packages to HIM by any means necessary</i></b><br /><b><i>2. at least two of your team members must be at the final point</i></b><br /><br /><i>The restaurant doors burst open and a group of military guys come running up to us.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"They're coming! We have to go now! Brumby and Stinker will take the kids to a secure location!" </i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Everyone gives the kids a quick hug. </i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Emery kisses me on the cheek. "You can do this, mom."</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>I take a deep breath and watch as the kids grin and run to the tank they get to ride in. "Let's do it."</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>We run and get on our </i><i>bicycles, pedaling down a back alley as fast as we can. I feel the package slipping out of my pocket and decided to hang it around my neck by the chord it's attached to. We make it to a tall skyscraper made completely of windows.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Cheryl, Courtney, and Dwayne Johnson watch as Kyle and I run into the building.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"We'll meet you in the field!" yells Cheryl before pedaling away, the three of them accompanied by three guards.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"Where is it?" Kyle stops me from getting on the elevator.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"Tenth floor." </i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"They'll expect the elevator."</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"Yeah." I head to the stairway and we start to head up.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"Here! We can travel through the vents. Bucky, give us a boost."</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Kyle follows me in and passes me the gun Bucky has given him before pulling the other man up to join us.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>The trip through the vents is exhausting and long. Maybe this was a bad idea. Maybe we won't have enough time. In my mind, I've been counting the turns and floors.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"Here. This is where we need to get out."</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>We drop into an office and quickly hide behind a large desk. </i><br /><i><br /></i><i>A man with green scales for skin pauses and peeks in.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"They beat us here." Bucky makes sure his safety is off and I do the same. </i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Kyle attaches the silencer to his weapon. "You know what sucks? They blend in. We don't."</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"I have to get to the back office." I point in the direction I need to go. The lights go out and I slip on my night vision goggles. "Thanks god for Sparky."</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Kyle grins. "Let's go."</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>We manage to slip past a couple of office workers without being detected. Bucky swings open the back office door . His gun goes off twice and two bodies drop to the ground. I kick open a closet door and shoot the manager who was hiding in it.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"It's in here." I grab the box with the symbol on it that matches the package around my neck.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"Everybody freeze!" </i><br /><i><br /></i><i>I see Bucky swing his gun around to take down the threat, but not quickly enough. The building guard's gun goes off and Bucky falls to the ground. Kyle grabs a chair and smashes the window open.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"Go, Mi!" He shoots one guard and drops as he gets hit in the leg. With a grunt, he throws himself at the men in the doorway.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"Kyle!"</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"Go! Finish this!" He takes another round in the chest and the last thing I see as I launch myself out of the tenth story window is his body falling to the ground.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>I pull my parachute chord, knowing it's not going to do much to slow me down at this height.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"Hang on!" Sparky groans as he attempts to catch me and I smash him into the asphalt. "Bucky and Kyle?"</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>I shake my head and swallow hard. "Gone."</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"Come on." He squeezes my arm. "We have to keep going." He stuffs the box in the big pocket on his pant leg and we take off running.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"We have to get to the field." I duck into a back alley to get out of view. Sparky peeks around the corner to make sure we aren't being followed.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"Let's go." He leads to way until we're laying behind some bushes at the edge of the field.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"Shit." Cheryl, Courtney, and Dwayne are tied to posts, surrounded by twenty plus enemy soldiers. All I can think about is shooting each and everyone of them in their scaly green faces.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"Where do we find the package?"</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>I look through my scope. "There. They have it sitting by our team."</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"Bastards. Do they really think we're just going to stroll in there?"</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>We glance at each other and grin. Making sure all of our weapons are loaded and ready, we stand and start shooting.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Chaos ensues as the enemy scrambles to recoup from our surprise. Cheryl manages to get loose and tackles a panicked guard, stealing his weapon and shooting him before joining in the massacre. Sparky reaches the package and stuffs it into his other leg pocket. He quickly cuts down Courtney and Dwayne and gives them weapons. </i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"Come on!" I lead the way into the woods, glancing at my watch. "We have an hour!"</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>I try not to feel excited. We have all three packages. Now, we just have to get it to HIM. </i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Cheryl takes a shot to side and falls. Dwayne covers her and takes three to the back. He pushes his weapon toward Courtney. "Go."</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Courtney, Sparky, and I dash through the woods breaking out into the open of a parking lot. We can hear the others behind us. A quick scan confirms we aren't going to be ambushed and we go crashing through the front doors.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>HE is waiting for us, his white suit pristine as HE sits behind a table. HE stands. </i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Sparky and I stumble forward, out of breath, holding out the packages for HIM. HE takes them, opens them, and scrutinizes them. HIS eyes meet mine and he grins.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"Congratulations. You've done it."</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Gordon Ramsay takes the secret ingredients for the best hot chocolate on earth and heads off into the kitchen to make us some.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>The kids come running up to us, excited to taste the treat.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>We all turn as the lizard men some strolling into restaurant. </i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Sheldon and the others pull off their lizard masks. "Man, these things are bloody hot."</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Everyone laughs and I hand him a glass of water. Kyle gives me a hug, still wiping the paint from the paint balls off of his sleeve.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"I can't believe you jumped out of that building!" Bucky grins with a shake of his head.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>I burst out laughing, remembering it. "Me neither!"</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"That was kickass!"</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>We all sit as Gordon comes back with the hot chocolate and the only sound is thirsty slurps. </i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"What are you going to make next time?"</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>He shrugs. "It's a surprise."</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>"Can you make a cake?" asks Ashtynn.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Gordon shrugs. "Is that what all of you want?"</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>All the kids nod enthusiastically. </i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Sparky stretches his arms over his head. "I'm sorta glad it's the kids' turn next weekend. I'm wrecked."</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>The adults all agree and the teams are picked for the following weekend fun of paintaball mob boss chef adventures.</i><br /><br />Mireillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958225752322706613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1125729123080137595.post-89111814917937973322017-11-21T11:24:00.000-08:002017-11-21T11:24:39.368-08:00Last of the Wicked Romancers <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Last of the Wicked Romancers </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Damien Darkseid</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blurb:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The only person responsible for this fast-approaching tragedy is me, myself, and I. Now I am forced to defend my manhood against a maniac clutching the smallest pieces of his broken heart in both hands. How will I ever explain to everyone I love, especially my wife Melina, that I was fighting over a woman that was not her no matter what the outcome is?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.amazon.com/Last-Wicked-Romancers-Damian-Darkseid-ebook/dp/B072ZZCPF8/&source=gmail&ust=1511366355497000&usg=AFQjCNFwO7iHBbDwEJ4oEA838oJUeD2XYg" href="https://www.amazon.com/Last-Wicked-Romancers-Damian-Darkseid-ebook/dp/B072ZZCPF8/" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/Last-<wbr></wbr>Wicked-Romancers-Damian-<wbr></wbr>Darkseid-ebook/dp/B072ZZCPF8/</a></span></div>
Mireillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958225752322706613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1125729123080137595.post-1683335193713930612017-11-17T21:04:00.000-08:002018-07-27T22:09:28.337-07:00Me: It's Been a While Since my Last Massive Panic Attack... Life: Hold my Beer.Now, had this been five months ago, I'd have drank that beer and gone to buy another case. But it's not five months ago and I've been sober that long. (Yay!) I'd be lying if I said it was easy to get here. Truth be told, the first little while was pure hell. I was crabby, cranky, rude... well, you get the point. And while staying sober would be hell on the best of circumstances, I picked summer to do it. <br /><br />Yeah. You know. Bonfire, sit in the sun, have a beer camping season. Oh. And then I traveled to Ontario and Quebec to visit all of my family and attend my brother's wedding. <br /><br />I spent the first three months avoiding social events and if I found myself at one, I sat away from everyone, usually in a different room. (fun times)<br /><br />The first three months, I also had zero control over my anxiety. Though my meds had managed to keep things in check while I was drinking, they did nothing while I detoxed and fought the cravings.<br /><br />BUT! I pushed through that three month mark and things got easier. I got the anxiety under control and I started becoming the wife/mom/person I had been before I let the alcohol poison my life. I never could have made it without my support system. (my husband, my family and friends, and my kids) They're phenomenal.<br /><br />So, most of you know the story with my oldest son, Anthony. He got handed a shitty hand when he was born with cerebral palsy with autistic tendencies and epilepsy. You've seen my twitter, instagram, and facebook posts of seizures, horrible nights, and behavior issues.<br /><br />As I write this, I'm laying in bed with him and we're watching Rescue Bots. <br /><br />But life with Anthony has been life for the past 13, almost 14 years. Holy shit, he's almost 14 years old! Anyway, even though we have our stressful moments, it's our normal and we're used to it. (though, he does like to throw us a curve ball every once in a while. lol)<br /><br />A little while ago, I made the mistake of thinking to myself that things were going great and I forgot to knock on wood. ALWAYS remember to knock on wood. Because if there's one thing life knows, it's that if it wants to mess with me, the best way to do it is through my kids.<br /><br />Since then, I've had to watch my princess go for bloodwork and a renal and bladder ultrasound to see if they could find what is causing her to have multilple infections a year. She was a trooper and thought it was cool she could see her insides on the tv and thankfully, no abnormalities were found. She's now going to be seeing a pediatrician, though that's not until January. I'm not sure what the next step he'll suggest will be, but like I said, January, so I'm trying to not think about it too much. (yeah right)<br /><br />Two weeks ago, Emery came home from school, crying because his back hurt. It turns out he was playing on a play structure at school and fell from five feet up onto his back. We rubbed him down, let him soak in the tub, and when that seemed to help, we chalked it up to sore muscles from the fall.<br /><br />A week later, ( a day after Ashtynn's ultrasound) he was still in pain and a trip to the doctor was made. There, we were told there was a possibility he might have a fracture on one of his vertebrae and he was sent for xrays. <br /><br />A few days later, I saw my doctor's number on my phone. Now, some people might think, oh well, but our doctor only phones us if something comes up in the tests that were taken. Go for bloodwork, no phone call, you're fine. Xrays, no phone call, all is good.<br /><br />So, I took a deep breath and answered the phone, all the while wondering if I was getting news about Ashtynn or Emery. <br /><br />It was Emery.<br /><br />It turns out he doesn't have a fracture on any of his vertebrae. What he does have is Spina Bifida Occulta. To my doctor's credit, he assumed I'd heard of Spina Bifida and rushed on to say that it is also called closed Spina Bifida and that it is the mildest form of the condition. After easing my worry (I'm not going to lie, as soon as he said the name I imaged Emery's spinal chord ripping through his back... even though I knew it was something he'd obviously been born with and has lived with for eleven years with no issues whatsoever) he told me to bring Emery in and he'd explain more of what would happen next.<br /><br />This morning, we went to the office. Some of Emery's vertebrae did not form properly while he was developing, therefore, he has a space which exposes his spinal chord. Though Emery hasn't had any symptoms (other than his back getting sore much more often then his siblings), there is a possibility that as he grows he could start having problems such as leg pain/ numbness, as well as other things. He is now being referred to a pediatric specialist in Saskatoon where they will do more scans and decide what our game plan is. Thankfully, because he doesn't have any symptoms, the chance of surgery is very small (pretty much non-existent) at this time. <br /><br />Now, I thought I was handling things well enough. I did have an hour or so after the appointment where I felt a bit overwhelmed, but that passed and well, life.<br /><br />It's funny how one tiny thing can set off a panic attack. All it took for me was to look at my calendar and see I had to take Anthony to his Neurologist on Wednesday. <br /><br />Done.<br /><br />I managed to get to my room and hide under the covers before my breathing went to shit and my chest contracted to the point I was sure I was having a heart attack. I'm not sure how long it went on (it always feels like hours), but I finally remembered to do all my "it's a panic attack, it will pass" exercises. I'm actually pretty happy with myself, I didn't even take an ativan (evil, tiny pills, they always put me to sleep). <br /><br />And even happier with the fact that I didn't even think about having a drink.<br /><br />So, that's pretty much it. I've had my meltdown and now it's back to business as usual because, well... this blog wouldn't be called Life and my Retreating Sanity if life was all rainbows and unicorns. :)<br /><br /><br />Mireillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958225752322706613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1125729123080137595.post-75507471624597935422017-11-13T00:00:00.000-08:002017-11-13T12:51:35.872-08:00Viva Zapata and the Magic Eight Ball<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Welcome to Savannah Verte's Thanksgiving Crossword Blog Hop! Let's start with a bit of a feature about her book then the details for the hop! The puzzle is at the bottom of the post for you to print or download!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRbKpKOsigT33C-XNjqBt5d9BUApdUOToIF-TNPc0W5Fqh3SwFutHALfWAx5q03spOsfTuytDgK2jJCe4Eb_GM2vaFBFb5HDs4M1nICiJMYq4m-py_52nBM1NTE7yJy8fPeCoCCQEm7UY/s1600/Viva+Zapata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="230" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRbKpKOsigT33C-XNjqBt5d9BUApdUOToIF-TNPc0W5Fqh3SwFutHALfWAx5q03spOsfTuytDgK2jJCe4Eb_GM2vaFBFb5HDs4M1nICiJMYq4m-py_52nBM1NTE7yJy8fPeCoCCQEm7UY/s640/Viva+Zapata.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<b>Viva Zapata & the<br />
Magic 8-Ball (novel)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Women’s Fiction<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sometimes, what happens in Vegas can’t stay in Vegas. <br />
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Four women gather in Sin City for a long weekend. Somewhere between the glitzy<br />
casinos and the small-hours-of-the-morning truths, they discover that the game<br />
of life doesn’t play by the house rules. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Three days, one Mexican revolutionary, and one Magic 8-Ball later, the women<br />
realize that with friends by your side, you can play any hand that life<br />
deals…and win.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01217QQVQ/">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01217QQVQ/</a></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "papyrus"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Savie’s Thanksgiving Bloghop 2017<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
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The answers are<br />
all things from Savannah’s books, things she loves, or qualities/attributes she<br />
values.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The clue for each answer can be<br />
found at the blog listed on the date in November equal to the number. IE: 10<br />
across would be on the 10<sup>th</sup>, etc.<span style="color: red;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;"><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: red;">***NOTE – on the 1<sup>st</sup><br />
& 15<sup>th</sup> there is more than one blog to visit. They are noted on<br />
the puzzle & highlighted so you can see where the answer goes. Also, Every<br />
5 days, Savannah will be checking in and giving a clue on her website as<br />
well…they are denoted as ‘s’ clues. For those – go to Savannah’s Blog: </span><a href="http://www.savannahverte.com/blog.***"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">www.savannahverte.com/blog</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">.***</span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i>To be entered to win you must pm your<br />
completed crossword to Savannah’s facebook author page (</i><a href="http://www.facebook.com/authorsavannahverte"><i>www.facebook.com/authorsavannahverte</i></a><i>) or email it to her at </i><i><a href="mailto:savannah@savannahverte.com">savannah@savannahverte.com</a></i><i> <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow;"><span style="color: red;">NO<br />
LATER THAN MIDNIGHT CST DECEMBER 5<sup>th</sup>.</span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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The drawing will be held no later than Friday December 8<sup>th</sup><br />
& the winner will be contacted.<br />
<br />
They then will have 5 days to respond or default & a new winner will be<br />
selected.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u><i><b><span style="background-color: yellow; color: blue;">Ready for my clue: (</span></b></i></u><span style="color: blue;"><b><i><u>Do nothing - just relax for a little bit</u></i></b></span><u><i><b><span style="background-color: yellow; color: blue;"> )</span></b></i></u></div>
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<b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red;">Download the image to work online or print off…submit a photo or file of the completed puzzle by the deadline to enter.</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja32gPVrTnP3W6qtTdckiGa3vIIC9MNyJV77WgJ53u7YOe8Y22rF3-oOOk8tpvaXTRau0VK60lgwPTHXcyY2IewbJgtQ87nF0mFBEwhgqj24BSCjX8XMVnhEND2xbENTxMuxMMAiXRH41o/s1600/Thanksgiving+Bloghop+Board.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="862" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja32gPVrTnP3W6qtTdckiGa3vIIC9MNyJV77WgJ53u7YOe8Y22rF3-oOOk8tpvaXTRau0VK60lgwPTHXcyY2IewbJgtQ87nF0mFBEwhgqj24BSCjX8XMVnhEND2xbENTxMuxMMAiXRH41o/s640/Thanksgiving+Bloghop+Board.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><u>BLOGSTOPS FOR CLUES:<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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1*1 Down Written Love Reviews <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/WrittenLoveReviews/">https://www.facebook.com/WrittenLoveReviews/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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1*2 Down Musings from an Addicted Reader <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Musings-From-An-Addicted-Reader-1452320254989887/">https://www.facebook.com/Musings-From-An-Addicted-Reader-1452320254989887/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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1*3 Across Obsessed by Books<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ObsessedbyBooks/">https://www.facebook.com/ObsessedbyBooks/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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s1 Down <span style="background: lime;">Savannah</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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2 Down Author Migraine Central<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMigraineCentral/">https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMigraineCentral/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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3 Across Turning the Pages<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://pagesofthestory.wordpress.com/blog/">https://pagesofthestory.wordpress.com/blog/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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4 Across Booked and Loaded<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://bookedandloaded.com/">http://bookedandloaded.com/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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5 Down Karen writes Murder<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://karenwritesmurder.com/">https://karenwritesmurder.com/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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s5 Down <span style="background: lime;">Savannah</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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6 Down Dena Garrison- Real… Hot… Romance<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://denagarson.net/">http://denagarson.net/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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7 Across Wickedly Innocent Promotions<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://wickedlyinnocentpromotions.blogspot.com/">Http://wickedlyinnocentpromotions.blogspot.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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8 Down Clare & Lou’s Mad About Books<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://clareandlousmadaboutbooks.blogspot.co.uk/">http://clareandlousmadaboutbooks.blogspot.co.uk/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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9 Across Summer’s Smexy Book Reads<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Summers.Smexy.BR/">https://www.facebook.com/Summers.Smexy.BR/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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10 Down Ellie’s Witchy Life<o:p></o:p></div>
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s10 Across <span style="background: lime;">Savannah</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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11 Down 2 Bibliophile’s Guide<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://2bibliophiles.blogspot.com/">http://2bibliophiles.blogspot.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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12 Down Dirty Bad Bloggers<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/dirtybadbloggers/">https://www.facebook.com/dirtybadbloggers/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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13 Across Author Mireille Chester<o:p></o:p></div>
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14 Down Twinsie Talk<o:p></o:p></div>
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15*1 Across A Naughty Book Love Affair<o:p></o:p></div>
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15*2 Across ILoveBooksAndStuff Blog<o:p></o:p></div>
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s15 Down <span style="background: lime;">Savannah</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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16 Down Little Shop of Readers<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/LittleShopofReaders/">https://www.facebook.com/LittleShopofReaders/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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17 Across SydneyGen Reads<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/sydneygenreads/">https://www.facebook.com/sydneygenreads/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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18 Down I don’t get Sundays<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/idontgetsundays/">https://www.facebook.com/idontgetsundays/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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19 Across Triple A<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/TripleABookBlog/">https://www.facebook.com/TripleABookBlog/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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20 Down Books 2 Blogs<o:p></o:p></div>
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s20 Across <span style="background: lime;">Savannah</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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21 Across Those Crazy Book Chicks<o:p></o:p></div>
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22 Across I Smell Sheep<o:p></o:p></div>
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23 Across Terri Luvs Books<o:p></o:p></div>
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s23 Down <span style="background: lime;">Savannah</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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24 Across Read Our Thoughts Book Blogs<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://readourthoughtsbookblog.wordpress.com/">https://readourthoughtsbookblog.wordpress.com/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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25 Down Eskimo Princess<o:p></o:p></div>
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s25 Down <span style="background: lime;">Savannah</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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26 Down Author Kassie Lane<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.authorkassielane.blogspot.com/">http://www.authorkassielane.blogspot.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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27 Across A Book Lover’s Emporium<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/abookloversemporiumbookblog/">https://www.facebook.com/abookloversemporiumbookblog/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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28 Across Country Reads<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://contryreads.blogspot.com/">http://contryreads.blogspot.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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29 Across Barbara’s Book Reviews<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://barbarasbookreviews.blogspot.com/">http://barbarasbookreviews.blogspot.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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30 Across <span style="background: lime;">Savannah</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Author Bio:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9LK7gXiO2Rmpb17xEYIvoGGaBLL3c6d8DY7aGAlC-2HMkywcUAk5Cspwa-EQjLI7mMiWN2sc74-P5CBbHayHXNVWxctu_ZLoN8nacZomucuilXhHt7xxIZFEmEtaYWdYNzyjTaBspDSP/s1600/Savannah+Verte+Author+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="897" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9LK7gXiO2Rmpb17xEYIvoGGaBLL3c6d8DY7aGAlC-2HMkywcUAk5Cspwa-EQjLI7mMiWN2sc74-P5CBbHayHXNVWxctu_ZLoN8nacZomucuilXhHt7xxIZFEmEtaYWdYNzyjTaBspDSP/s320/Savannah+Verte+Author+Pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">A lifelong lover of words and reading, Savannah Verte hasn’t quite figured out what she wants to write when she grows up. Born and raised in the upper Midwest, Savannah’s gypsy spirit and never quit attitude keep her busy and seldom idle. For so many reasons, Savannah considers herself a ‘Contemporary Vagabond’ when it comes to writing and hopes that others find her diverse offerings as enjoyable to read as they are to write.<br /><br />As the primary owner and driving force behind Eclectic Bard Books she considers herself immensely fortunate to see writing from varied perspectives as she endeavors to publish the authors rostered there. Working with other writers, Savannah gets to expand her horizons every day as someone brings a new idea to the table and the brainstorming begins. There is something addictive about the creative process for her and helping other authors embrace their dreams make hers a reality daily.<br /><br />That’s the official Savannah, the unofficial version is just a girl who loves experiencing life with every twist and turn it takes. When she was born, she had such fine, light hair that her mother used to tape bows to her head so people would know she was a girl. She’s had a host of crazy unrelated jobs- everything from cake decorator, dry cleaner, and insurance agent to Emergency Room assistant, bartender, crime lab tech and bouncer. Savannah loves air hockey but completely sucks at it. She loves good jazz, good scotch, and antiques but also old rock, a quiet tea, and a tidy home. She’s completely technology impaired and can get it after she’s broken the computer or done it ass-backwards a few times… Thank Gods that there are some amazing meme creators that let her pilfer images or she’d be lost. Lime green is her color, the rhinoceros is her logo & philosophy, and she’s completely mad about seeing new authors try.<br /><br />Follow Savannah on Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorsavannahverte or on her webpage My Revolution: www.savannahverte.com</span></div>
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<br />Mireillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958225752322706613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1125729123080137595.post-20090210697803485682017-11-01T19:03:00.001-07:002017-11-01T19:03:22.091-07:00Faerie Dreams Blog Tour and Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjXtAGEtl9asbg2MLibp09Xg5k8TpuUhyphenhyphenM4rKmYK7ZILwOjkBNIWblAWlQDd05yKgCWs0ORPn-CDf6AZX1iuqaUaRrvSfSe_TFRNG-fX3mFWLdvsb5WgYfWGLDQpen7N-4KoNgbt-goeC/s1600/22375340_1585493874846982_1589402655_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjXtAGEtl9asbg2MLibp09Xg5k8TpuUhyphenhyphenM4rKmYK7ZILwOjkBNIWblAWlQDd05yKgCWs0ORPn-CDf6AZX1iuqaUaRrvSfSe_TFRNG-fX3mFWLdvsb5WgYfWGLDQpen7N-4KoNgbt-goeC/s640/22375340_1585493874846982_1589402655_o.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Blurb book 1 (Free on all sites)<br />
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If there’s one thing fifteen-year-old Kate loves, it’s a good book. Her new favorite series, Quallen’s Quest, follows the Faerie prince in the land of Kallaryn as he goes from one adventure to another. When Kate awakens in Prince Quallen’s secret cave, she’s sure she’s dreaming. Events unfold and adventure follows as the handsome prince promises to help her get back. Is she really in Kallaryn and if that’s the case, will she ever be able to get back home?<br />
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Buy Links:<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Faerie-Dreams-book-Mireille-Chester-ebook/dp/B0768RMNPF">https://www.amazon.com/Faerie-Dreams-book-Mireille-Chester-ebook/dp/B0768RMNPF</a>/<br />
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<a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/faerie-dreams-book-one">https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/faerie-dreams-book-one</a><br />
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/faerie-dreams-book-one/id1229248036?mt=11">https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/faerie-dreams-book-one/id1229248036?mt=11</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/faerie-dreams-mireille-chester/1126263418?ean=9781545571651">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/faerie-dreams-mireille-chester/1126263418?ean=9781545571651</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/316236">https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/316236</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWtSVqBdT2p_W4FWVPzPcObm5PLdGKAb647Gkza_5YvsMWOHpiDVBF2lM-g7TXq6H4zCJlmnu8N3RNKiY6TIQhKyDTiUS0EUaH-OuplLEVX3tz50FymP16xZ5eRw84uAskz0jKV0vc15h/s1600/22368930_1585494041513632_1050042821_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWtSVqBdT2p_W4FWVPzPcObm5PLdGKAb647Gkza_5YvsMWOHpiDVBF2lM-g7TXq6H4zCJlmnu8N3RNKiY6TIQhKyDTiUS0EUaH-OuplLEVX3tz50FymP16xZ5eRw84uAskz0jKV0vc15h/s640/22368930_1585494041513632_1050042821_o.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Book 2 (only 99cents)<br />
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Just when Kate thought she'd never visit Kallaryn again, she finds herself awake in Prince Quallen's cave. This time, she's sure she knows why she's here. Quallen's uncle has targeted Veenata's lake and if they can't get the anti-spell done on time, the water nymph will surely die. It's a race against time to find all the ingredients. While rushing around to save their friend, Kate makes an astonishing discovery about herself. There's a reason she was born a Dreamwalker and it's up to her to save those she cares for.<br />
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Buy Links:<br />
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https://www.amazon.com/Faerie-Dreams-book-Mireille-Chester-ebook/dp/B06ZZ5F2XR<br />
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https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/faerie-dreams-mireille-chester/1126263437?ean=9781545576137<br />
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https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/faerie-dreams-book-two/id1229355157?mt=11<br />
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https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/719796<br />
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https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/faerie-dreams-book-two<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuY5X0-Jh6zYenYj78ope_jeq3PsNZLRS4QqJXPJ8zhQgkKVQXSq5VBSF_hof2_qYLXTrHkw9RuJAMeW7jj42A1Mu4XpRHtfxLSbwCqApMtd0MdS2UTnP0w41fSm818rBQxYQP1Lo_eEl/s1600/22345466_1585494358180267_1439258118_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuY5X0-Jh6zYenYj78ope_jeq3PsNZLRS4QqJXPJ8zhQgkKVQXSq5VBSF_hof2_qYLXTrHkw9RuJAMeW7jj42A1Mu4XpRHtfxLSbwCqApMtd0MdS2UTnP0w41fSm818rBQxYQP1Lo_eEl/s640/22345466_1585494358180267_1439258118_o.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Book 3<br />
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"If it weren't for me, this wouldn't happen to you."<br />
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She snorted. "I'm a Dreamwalker, Quallen. I don't think I was supposed to cross over just to go fishing."<br />
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He blinked his deep violet eyes. "You're here on another quest, then?"<br />
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She opened her mouth to answer then closed it. "Umm... No."<br />
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"No?"<br />
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She smiled. "No."<br />
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Quallen grinned. "Did you bring your pole," he inquired.<br />
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She shook her head. “I have no idea when I’m going to cross and I think it might look a bit odd if my parents find me sleeping with my fishing rod.”<br />
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Quallen turned his back so she could change. “Lucky for you, then, I have a spare.”<br />
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When Kate dreamwalks to Kallaryn this time around, it seems like it will be a nice relaxing time and after all of the excitement the last few times she's come to visit, she can't say she minds.<br />
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Of course, there never seems to be peace where Quallen is concerned and they are quickly drawn into a rescue mission that could potentially put the prince in danger. Again.<br />
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But when Gailt comes to his friends for their help to save his cousin who is about to lose her wings for stealing, there's no way the pair can say no.<br />
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Will Quallen manage to cross his uncle once more without getting caught? Will Dakkezy keep her wings? Will Kate ever find a quiet moment to spend with her faerie prince?<br />
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Buy Links:<br />
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https://www.amazon.com/Faerie-Dreams-three-Mireille-Chester-ebook/dp/B071ZTG2HM/<br />
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https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/faerie-dreams-mireille-chester/1126611890?ean=2940154420133<br />
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https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/faerie-dreams-book-three/id1250243524?mt=11<br />
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https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/faerie-dreams-book-three<br />
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https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/729961<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindx1Wf5D2JDERZF-6_VOGJGi6p6y7L2OtFem3tUcobJWnQBK7bbDzGqnzPyoHfSIM25k8EaNlgTRccB1uJMO7APiChQWmWFIYVIuE1HZmjtfnu9_pE7L-D_fHBYysDuXcLg6DFNLv7BXx/s1600/22368736_1585494198180283_752998772_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindx1Wf5D2JDERZF-6_VOGJGi6p6y7L2OtFem3tUcobJWnQBK7bbDzGqnzPyoHfSIM25k8EaNlgTRccB1uJMO7APiChQWmWFIYVIuE1HZmjtfnu9_pE7L-D_fHBYysDuXcLg6DFNLv7BXx/s640/22368736_1585494198180283_752998772_o.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Book 4<br />
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Kate's sixteenth birthday has arrived and Nate surprises her with a new book as a present. As usual, the book gives her insight into what is happening in Kallaryn, though this time it seems the story is happening as she reads. Having learned Quallen has been taken prisoner by some of his uncle's men, she decides it's time to see if she can dreamwalk at will. Can she finally convince her brother Kallaryn is real and will they be able to get to the faerie prince before it's too late?<br />
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Buy Links:<br />
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https://www.amazon.com/Faerie-Dreams-book-Mireille-Chester-ebook/dp/B0768RMNPF/<br />
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https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/faerie-dreams-mireille-chester/1127207009?ean=2940154580189<br />
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https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/faerie-dreams-book-four/id1294639873?mt=11<br />
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https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/faerie-dreams-book-four<br />
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<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.smashwords.com%2Fbooks%2Fview%2F752333&h=ATMu_yrlLBMqCUtHqfPHMOU2LhBKLsGYbA7zIUaTsqV7OTXs8fKjchgdC0zISdfq-JoI4QwCR4pWdTmEBoqBPCxtm4kJhglP8Jwx_YsQchaMpAno0RJlK4mLw_ynJGnf_ARQxDYZB84">https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/752333</a><br />
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Author Bio:<br />
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Mireille Chester is a fantasy author who likes to spend time in made up worlds filled with magic. She is a firm believer that no hero is perfect and that all villains are burdened with a tiny shred of humanity.<br />
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Born in Ottawa, Ontario, Mireille now resides in the beautiful prairies of Saskatchewan. Wife and mother, she spends most of her time with her three children and husband. When she is not writing stories or grooming dogs, you can find her on the lake fishing with her family.<b id="docs-internal-guid-62ae2488-6e41-89e1-4d00-78e6a29e00a1" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blog:</span><a href="http://mireillechester.blogspot.ca/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> http://mireillechester.blogspot.ca/</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Twitter:</span><a href="https://twitter.com/MireilleChester" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> https://twitter.com/MireilleChester</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Facebook:</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/218242291718752/?__mref=message_bubble" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/218242291718752/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.facebook.com/groups/218242291718752/</span></a></div>
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Giveaway!</div>
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="98b8f3e310" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/98b8f3e310/" id="rcwidget_n4myrqsq" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></div>
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<br />Mireillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958225752322706613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1125729123080137595.post-13010945696092636822017-09-08T20:35:00.000-07:002018-07-27T22:09:28.486-07:00Weird Dreams: episode threeOnce upon a time, I ate a Burger King whopper, a wannabe poutine, and some onion rings with zesty dip at eleven o'clock at night. Oh. And I drank a coke, so I couldn't fall asleep until one thirty. And, fine, it wasn't really once upon a time. It was last night.<br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">~ ~ ~ ~ ~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The day started out quite normally. Kyle and I walked with the kids along the streets of the Market in Ottawa. We were surrounded by family. Sheldon, Shelley, and the girls suggested going for poutine and beaver tails. We, of course, loved the idea.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJPYEsF9dVrvO3tjbaIpv2-XUBjB_1IGoKbxKDIrpaAj6oQD19zJhJ4EXO3em-4efvmc8SKfw5rGM7O7n6NZcHd-aLA3c5VzBqYzjvxZfM2VaiSUxHyh65vSlFqqwBEOfs6Bfc_1Cuc7I/s1600/WD3.1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="769" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJPYEsF9dVrvO3tjbaIpv2-XUBjB_1IGoKbxKDIrpaAj6oQD19zJhJ4EXO3em-4efvmc8SKfw5rGM7O7n6NZcHd-aLA3c5VzBqYzjvxZfM2VaiSUxHyh65vSlFqqwBEOfs6Bfc_1Cuc7I/s640/WD3.1.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Once we were done eating, I found myself with the kids and my dad at a campsite with cabins. We were spending the day fishing. Anthony did was Anthony always does and caught a monster. Literally. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">b<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKB9ihrfbVCYJcJ_GNuclYCYuYGbiadBQYSYqJZNOaqTQKL1k8RjK8iRFw4nfalky0My4BShy3vnIQHSpl360YaqrVONlEaBYcLYl9g1a-AKOKaTNUhunv-zdO6BLN2YIp-YRbytiNtdZR/s1600/WD3.2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="769" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKB9ihrfbVCYJcJ_GNuclYCYuYGbiadBQYSYqJZNOaqTQKL1k8RjK8iRFw4nfalky0My4BShy3vnIQHSpl360YaqrVONlEaBYcLYl9g1a-AKOKaTNUhunv-zdO6BLN2YIp-YRbytiNtdZR/s640/WD3.2.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Before he could get it on board, the wind picked up and we found ourselves in the middle of a hurricane. Dad fought to get the boat back to shore without getting tipped over. The temperature started to drop and the snowflakes stung my skin where they connected.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I handed the kids their bunnyhugs and pulled mine on, hanging on to the side of the boat for dear life.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"We're not going to make it!" yelled my dad. "We're going to have to jump!"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I glanced at the water and was shocked to see it had turned to ice. Dad threw his tackle box on it to see how solid it was. When it didn't break through, he hopped off, the wind almost carrying him away.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Dad! Duck!"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A palm tree narrowly missed his head.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Following his lead, we ran to shore.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBX-Bd_0pjfXax4ziplG71cJaRaUBIOdFmIVqeFNPzwF3MGV8BbhLejQbZOE8Ao0onI8ltdmfZle0ReCgn9Ep_pwOHlupp7YDbO2mJZ-wUnhfokCUIB5L_2d7uuohyphenhyphenXc1mtoiHCY53KBuf/s1600/WD3.3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="769" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBX-Bd_0pjfXax4ziplG71cJaRaUBIOdFmIVqeFNPzwF3MGV8BbhLejQbZOE8Ao0onI8ltdmfZle0ReCgn9Ep_pwOHlupp7YDbO2mJZ-wUnhfokCUIB5L_2d7uuohyphenhyphenXc1mtoiHCY53KBuf/s640/WD3.3.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Safe in our cabin, the kids decided to play outside as the sun came out.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Mom! There's some dolphins stuck out there!" Ashtynn came into the cabin, crying.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I frowned. "There aren't any dolphins in Saskachewan, honey."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"But mom, I swear!"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I head out to see what these dolphins might be and stop short. "What is that?"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Emery dumps a netful of dog hair at my feet. "It's Smokey hair. The dolphins can't breathe because it's plugging their blow holes!"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I gaze around to the twenty five or so people frantically scooping dog hair out of the lake so the dolphins can breathe.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One of the dolphins calls out as someone manages to lasso it around the neck. It promptly turns into a lynx that is chained to a stump.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Careful! They don't give you much room to maneuver." </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I look up to see who has a hold of my arm and blink.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Hi. I'm Jeremy."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Holy shit. Jeremy Renner just saved me from being eaten by a lynx the size of a tiger!!</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">"They turned a while ago. The owners haven't had the heart to put them down."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I look more closely at the zoo animals. All of them are chained by the neck to a stump. All of them are... zombies.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEike7yYiaYLGmDDBU-KGkqSAAsrlhgrLeHD8hKJyLIAImHro1PqchUSIK3vm-xBcSH23RMEbO-XR-Yr7FvsO45gnd3171Z4sEqT9jNlaCu7ldZTfBmPtpauEYBOiI6VX1iY5-SbuSdHCMev/s1600/WD3.4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="515" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEike7yYiaYLGmDDBU-KGkqSAAsrlhgrLeHD8hKJyLIAImHro1PqchUSIK3vm-xBcSH23RMEbO-XR-Yr7FvsO45gnd3171Z4sEqT9jNlaCu7ldZTfBmPtpauEYBOiI6VX1iY5-SbuSdHCMev/s640/WD3.4.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />A tiny growl/bark comes from behind me and I turn. My yorkie is a zombie and tied to a post. Freya barks and barks and barks.<br /><br />"Freya! Shut up!"<br /><br />She doesn't stop and I swat at her with my arm.<br /><br />"Stupid puntable."<br /><br />I sit up in bed. Leave it to Freya to start barking when I'm just getting to a kickass Jeremy Renner / Zombie apocalypse part of a dream. :D<br /><br />Oh well. Until the next one. Hahaha! Weird dreams, everyone!</div>Mireillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958225752322706613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1125729123080137595.post-77157782627416636272017-08-16T21:23:00.000-07:002018-07-27T22:09:28.634-07:00Weird Dreams: episode twoWell, I did it again. Yep. I ate before bed. And this time, it wasn't just a cookie. It was a greek sub accompanied by fries, gravy, and pepsi. Oh. And it was three hours past my bedtime. So here you go. The awesomeness that is my food induced dream. The starting scene is pretty basic. Just picture me walking down a dirt road.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5rhaNcojjtuajeedDe3B0GOCJE41UwrA76vre8Ll7WJi6WzL2YT-tIwMR1FV_ypxU7oFi_L4DhZeoTGylDbc51NREHT6sajOdO8dwnXSFNurzYEO3-XToCrG5uYxZU2dC3SPc6SG8Ase/s1600/WD1.1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="769" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5rhaNcojjtuajeedDe3B0GOCJE41UwrA76vre8Ll7WJi6WzL2YT-tIwMR1FV_ypxU7oFi_L4DhZeoTGylDbc51NREHT6sajOdO8dwnXSFNurzYEO3-XToCrG5uYxZU2dC3SPc6SG8Ase/s640/WD1.1.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />I walk until I reach a dead end. There are a bunch of run down houses and broken down cars and trucks. People are sitting around fires in barrels and children running around playing with dogs. No one seems to notice me standing there.<br /><br />There's a scream from somewhere in the forest and I jump, surprised. I glance to the the desolate little group who don't seem to have heard a thing. I open my mouth to yell to get the attention and I stop cold. One woman is now staring at me, unblinking. She gives one slow shake of her head.<br />My voice sticks in my suddenly dry throat.<br /><br />The scream comes again and and I run into the woods alone. <br /><br />"Hellll..."<br /><br />The scream stops.<br /><br />I pause, trying to decide which direction the echos are coming from. <br /><br />A rustle to the left has me dashing in that direction. I immediately regret my decision to try and help.<br /><br />Laying in the tall grass was a girl. Or what was left of her. Large claw marks shredded through almost every inch of skin. I could see. Her long blonde hair was a matted mess with dirt, leaves, and blood.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWfNvNZC1Ibtlrx0v6l9gHxRTiB5TnKBPBMmjv7iNKKqOs1YgITfYBGNFNv8ab2V97Son6Vc-n_cNR9UK7qmjypMaKfpV58tXD4Sqqti-FeQx1lODtWTx5INEi6nMiVwXtm4iHCV2E3U6/s1600/WD1.2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="769" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWfNvNZC1Ibtlrx0v6l9gHxRTiB5TnKBPBMmjv7iNKKqOs1YgITfYBGNFNv8ab2V97Son6Vc-n_cNR9UK7qmjypMaKfpV58tXD4Sqqti-FeQx1lODtWTx5INEi6nMiVwXtm4iHCV2E3U6/s640/WD1.2.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />I race back to the road, and find the people from the sad looking homes all standing there.<br /><br />"Shit." I abruptly dive right and manage to find an extra burst of speed as I head towards the safety of home.<br /><br />Stumbling into the house, I try to catch my breath.<br /><br />"Mi! What's wrong?" Allie hands me a bottle of water.<br /><br />"Weird people.... scream... body..."<br /><br />"What are you talking about?"<br /><br />I manage to get my breathing under control.<br /><br />"I was walking and I found this little clearing with some weird people in it. There was this scream and none of them even bothered to look up except for one scary lady. So I ran into the woods and there was a body. It was ripped to shreds." I rush to the bathroom and puke.<br /><br />"It was probably a deer or something."<br /><br />I shake me head. "It was human. It had long blond hair and ripped clothes and skin..." More of my breakfast makes it into the toilet.<br /><br />I hear her talking on the phone.<br /><br />"The police are coming to pick us up so you can show them."<br /><br />I manage to brush my teeth and decide some gum won't hurt. Two officers pull up in a squad car and we get in the back.<br /><div><br /></div>It doesn't take long before I find myself facing the strange people of the clearing.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfm5pLfHXWSgTn5XpW4ShpDozwL67FoYDArUe-dOpEdu88ZtC4tPPS8C48RBqNVqby5_zSFzlpQfLhgY_b4WDmc3KjIVZhbQ4s5YZ5BGL0rBBTCtPwNWLltH_xq3BNbUtZEtCAlElw5cP/s1600/WD2.3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="769" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfm5pLfHXWSgTn5XpW4ShpDozwL67FoYDArUe-dOpEdu88ZtC4tPPS8C48RBqNVqby5_zSFzlpQfLhgY_b4WDmc3KjIVZhbQ4s5YZ5BGL0rBBTCtPwNWLltH_xq3BNbUtZEtCAlElw5cP/s640/WD2.3.png" width="640" /></a></div>Allie looks at me.<br /><br />I nod. "I told you." I look to the cop beside me. The freaked out look on his face is enough for me. "The body was over here." No one argues as I lead the way.<br /><br />After an hour of walking around, I still can't find the victim. The blond cop (Kade) is getting impatient.<br /><br />"I swear, I saw it."<br /><br />"I believe her. I've never seen her that upset." Allie backs me up.<br /><br />The dark haired cop (Jordan) bends with a frown. "I found blood."<br /><br />His partner joins him.<br /><br />All of us jerk to attention at the sound of a growl to our left.<br /><br />Jordan and Kade pull their guns and stand in front of us.<br /><br />"RUN!" Jordan hollers at us as he and his partner start to fire at whatever is crashing through the woods.<br /><br />Instead of the cop car, we're greeted by the crowd of strange people with guns aimed at us. I grab Allie's hand as we are pushed and shoved toward the... beautiful cabin on the edge of a lake...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36C7xVoa94r2WWItI2Mc2529S-Mn-cIw2HSk208wNubDzk1ye6Kt2qNToz3bDM7TxhrFjZpV_Gv0r_KLFpiOugNkoQjPU6Dii-l6EAjuQ4igmhb6k9H1MwEeGi1PFeRuI9hh07HxjeCQo/s1600/WD2.4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="769" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36C7xVoa94r2WWItI2Mc2529S-Mn-cIw2HSk208wNubDzk1ye6Kt2qNToz3bDM7TxhrFjZpV_Gv0r_KLFpiOugNkoQjPU6Dii-l6EAjuQ4igmhb6k9H1MwEeGi1PFeRuI9hh07HxjeCQo/s640/WD2.4.png" width="640" /></a></div>"This is where you'll be staying." Scruffy guy with a shotgun shows us to a beautiful room. "If you need anything just give a call to the main cabin and we'll do our best to accommodate you. Your boat is ready to go whenever you are."<br /><br />Anthony claps his hands as we get our tackle and rods ready. My son and I head out on the lake and find a spot we were told was producing some big pike. We start casting. Anthony's excitement mounts as he gets a bit and his line tightens.<br /><br />It takes a bit of work but he manages to pull Jaws into our fishing boat...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybbjeAzzKRVuT-asOreUbvAVENjVlNXNNOlUMYtjXCU8-KjEssLTCTbZtP4sDzPNZAUg0aCIY_SQb_OAX_i1J-q7sy9JAf-yOkY7RyEkCtasYmhw9TAu5LSeZiBWXquKVnFMbCSp1qU46/s1600/WD2.5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="769" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybbjeAzzKRVuT-asOreUbvAVENjVlNXNNOlUMYtjXCU8-KjEssLTCTbZtP4sDzPNZAUg0aCIY_SQb_OAX_i1J-q7sy9JAf-yOkY7RyEkCtasYmhw9TAu5LSeZiBWXquKVnFMbCSp1qU46/s640/WD2.5.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />We get back on shore and everyone is cheering.<br /><br />"He's killed the beast!"<br /><br />I hear gun shots and look up from things I'm unloading. Allie is running out of the woods and I can tell she's hurt. She trips and falls, turning to look back at the woods where the gunshots are still happening.<br /><br />A large shadow comes crashing out of the trees. All I can make out is black. It has no solid shape that can I can tell. Allie screams and her body starts to glow. She screams again and the glow gets brighter.<br /><br />The dark thing jumps toward her. Her third scream has her exploding into a ball of light.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHpRsAHjXrzWyb27UEfUEX31x45py2I-ZVARrnMhmevfCxuSgAYs17cP8HMLL5bfTipuT07nlq3vO5JInBfaSIBpgSvC4SLoyWO60cy5fXlYc1XrZGo7Jr-7GGLiMTbzU-6PAUv85-YmT/s1600/WD2.6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="769" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHpRsAHjXrzWyb27UEfUEX31x45py2I-ZVARrnMhmevfCxuSgAYs17cP8HMLL5bfTipuT07nlq3vO5JInBfaSIBpgSvC4SLoyWO60cy5fXlYc1XrZGo7Jr-7GGLiMTbzU-6PAUv85-YmT/s640/WD2.6.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />I close my eyes at how bright the explosion is, but not before her light engulfs the dark thing. Both of them disappear. <br /><br />The glow starts to spread. It expands, disintegrating everything it touches. <br /><br />I have time to think that Allie's light is so nice and warm before I poof into nothingness. <br /><br /><br /><br />Mireillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958225752322706613noreply@blogger.com0