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I smooth down her hair, but release my hold on her. “Last time I left Jane with my dad, they fell asleep on the couch together, but you’re probably right.” I use a hand to tilt her chin up and bend down to kiss her softly. “Can’t have you getting sick of me before we have our second date after all.” I wink before I lead her with my hand on the small of her back out of the back.

“Need me to grab anything from a shelf before I go?” I ask in a teasing tone before I give a little nod and wave to the newest customer.

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“Ich vermisse dich immer, wenn ich nicht neben dir bin.” I mumble, burying my face in his exposed chest. I hum happily, closing my eyes. While he’d been gone, I successfully gotten myself full drunk. I know it won’t last long, but I enjoy the happy buzz that helps me forget about everything else in the moment.

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I turn to raise an eyebrow at him. “Are you offering to take me home with you, Zain?” My face and body expression are flirtatious, but I’m tired and my social battery is running on fumes. Obviously I wasn’t able to recharge in the bathroom thanks to our newest lead. If I stay much longer without actually getting some time to myself, I might crack and lash out at the next idiot that crosses my path.

“I might like that.” I bite my lower lip the tiniest bit before I lick my lips, my eyes darting between his eyes and lips. Our drinks arrive and I eagerly down mine.

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The simple kiss causes my heart to flutter and my toes to curl. I don't get a lot of time to respond as he's guiding me out to the front. I smile at the customer and they wave briefly before following Calypso as she leads them through the store.
I take the moment to look at Nic. ”That's what I have a ladder for. Go on. You can play shop assistant another day,” I tell him. I take out my phone and text Nic Caden's number. ”There, now you can ask Caden for permission.”

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”Mmmm, Nun, ich gehöre für den Rest der Nacht dir, kleiner Kobold. Mein Geschäft ist vorerst abgeschlossen.” I take them back to the table and pick up a fresh drink. I sit down on a chair with Nero in my lap.

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”Well, I can't seem to think about anything other than your offer. I'd like to take you up on it,” I say. As much as I don't want to be locked in a vehicle with Kimiko for the half an hour ride back to Caden's, Kimiko did good work and if she wanted to go, I'd take her.

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“I’d love to play shop assistant whenever you need me.” I say with a genuine smile before I pull out my phone to save Caden’s number. “I’ll try hard not to let Caden steal me away from you.” I promise teasingly, stealing a kiss on her cheek before I head for the door.

I pause at the doorframe to turn and look at her again. “Let me know when you’d like to start our date tomorrow.” I grin at her, dimples showing, before I leave to walk to the bus stop.

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I giggle happily while I shift to sit in his lap. With my head tilted, I peer at him with a bright smile. “Haben wir den Bösewicht erwischt?” I ask Caden, stealing the drink he just picked up and taking a sip.

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I flash a smile. “I can’t think of a reason to say no.” I set my now empty glass down on the counter and lean back against the bar eyeing Avery up and down. He is a fine specimen of a man, there’s no denying that, but boy did I wish he was anyone else right now.

“You just say the word.” I say with a wink, but I can feel my facade slowly fading.

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I shake my head at Nic's teasing. Wayland follows him to the door, seeking one final pet before Nic has to leave. If Nic wanted to see what having a cat was like, I had a feeling Wayland would go willingly with Nic.

”I'll message you later,” I said in an effort to shoo him out.

He smiles fully at me and my heart flips. The door closes, taking Nic with it but I can still feel his warmth. My customer clears her throat and I startle. She laughs.

“I remember those days. The jitters and endless smiles of a new relationship.” I blush and fix my hair before clearing my throat.

”How can I help?” I ask, falling into the comfort of serving.

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I snatch my drink back and down it before they can. I set the empty glass down and picked up the full one that materialized. ”Nicht heute, aber wir haben einen Zeugen gefunden,” I say and sip my fresh drink.

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”I'm ready for that adventure now,” I say and hand the bartender some money to close out our tab, so Caden doesn't have to.

Without another word I pulled Kimiko away from the bar and led her through the crowd with my hand on the small of her back. To anyone else it looks like I'm eager to get her out of here, when really I want to stop acting and go home.

I keep up the act until we are on the street and pull my hand away quickly. However, I hear laughing behind me and I turn around, blocking Kimiko.

“Are you seriously going home with this pup? If I had known you were going to settle for second-rate trash, I wouldn't have bothered.” The werewolves Caden and I had an altercation with earlier have followed us outside. Fine by me. I could use a fight right now.

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I have the shadow of a grin on my face for most of the walk to the bus stop and even when I get on the bus and sit down. I pull out my phone and send a quick text to Caden. Hey, this is Nic Wu. Cass gave me your number. I was wondering if it’d be possible for Cass and I to borrow a car tomorrow to drive to Cary, please? It’s just a hour north of Chicago and I promise to be careful with it.

I bounce my leg anxiously after I send the message, debating whether or not I should add that I’m taking her on a date. I run a hand down my face. Caden is not her father, you don’t need his permission. I tell myself sternly before I slip my phone back in my pocket.

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I pout when he takes his drink back. “Das war nicht sehr nett.” I say, trying to take the new drink he just got from him too. He doesn’t let that happen.

“Ein Zeuge ist ein guter Anfang. Guter Drache.” I pat his head and flash him a goofy smile.

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I cast sidelong glances at Avery as we walk out of the club, looking the prefect part of something who scored a lay. When we get to the street, Avery pulls his hand away and I sigh, letting my mask fall off for the night. Trying to relieve some of the stress in my body, I lean my head side to side to crack it. Then I hear a voice the grates my ears.

Avery has already turned around to face them, effectively blocking my small frame. ”Ces putains de types.” I mutter with a frustrated sigh before I step out a little from Avery’s shadow.

“Yeah, and if I wanted to have a one-pump-chump to ask me where my clitoris is, then I’d be going home with you, wouldn’t I?” I call back, my eyes shifting but it’s not purposeful. I’m just fed up and want to go home. “Run along little strays and find someone else to bother.” I loop my arm with Avery and turn us around to finish walking to the car.

To my dismay, I can hear them still following us. “Leave it to a slutty fox to go for Caden’s broken rescue.”

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I grin while I keep my refreshed drink from their hands. ”Sie haben Ihre eigenen Getränke,” I remind them.

I set my drink down and rest my hands on their hips when they pat my head. ”Thank you. Do I get a reward for my hard work?”

My phone buzzes in my pocket and I shift my attention. I reach inside my jacket to pull it out. I read the message from Nic and chuckle.

Of course. What time do you want it dropped off?

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I glare at the trio, my eyes already shifting yellow as my wolf rises to the surface, craving a fight with anyone who challenges us or Caden's pack. And apparently Kiki is Caden's pack according to the wolf, even though I wanted nothing to do with her.

Kimiko attempts to diffuse the situation and grabs my arm to lead us away. My muscles are taunt, ready for a fight. I can hear the wolves continue to follow us. And I stop in my tracks at their latest comment. Alright. I may be annoyed with Kimiko but you don't call women any names. That is low and ignorant.

I gently unwrap Kimiko's arm from around my arm. I look at her.

”You should go.” I turn around and face the trio. I start unclipping the leather straps from around my body.

”Better a broken rescue than an entitled prick who thinks a woman is no better than a floor mat.” I shift my feet just before the first wolf launches himself at me. I grab his arms and slam him into the industrial sized garbage bin. It crumples under the impact. I'm quickly swarmed by the other two but hit them punch for punch. I can feel my lip split as one of them gets a good hit on me, but I don't slow down. My wolf is happy, so I'm happy. I grin as I knock one of the werewolves out.

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When I pull my phone out again, I blink. He was going to have it dropped off for me? Right, stupid rich. Oh, thank you! Would 9AM work? I don’t know when Cass wants to go yet, so earlier might be better. I pull up my text chain with Cass.

Caden wants to know what time to have the car dropped off - I gave a tentative 9AM but let me know if we need it earlier, okay? Also I hope you don’t miss your loyal shop assistant too much already ;) Sure, it was cheesy but… I felt like we made good headway today. Silly smile back, I put my phone in my pocket and exit the bus to walk the rest of the way home from the bus stop.

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I have my head tilted as I try to think of a good reward while Caden fiddles with his phone. “What kind of reward do you want?” I finally ask as I pluck the drink he only just set down for myself. I happily sip at it, wiggling as I settle in his lap.

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”Oh for fucks sake.” I say as Avery tells me I should go. I crack my knuckles and decidedly not leave, turning around as well. Avery is making short work of them though and I let out another frustrated sigh as I’m realizing that I might not get to let off some steam either.

I grab the wolf who’s just starting to get up from the dumpster and punch him in the nose. I hear the bones crunch and hope that it heals crooked. I give him one more good punch to the side of his head and grin when he passes out. I kick him in the gut for good measure before I turn around to see if Avery needs my help. I kick the one he managed to already knock out and spit on him for good measure.

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I set my phone aside, face up so I know when Nic messages me back. I watch Nero with amusement as they pick up my drink, not bothering with the ones I have for them anymore. I rest a hand on their leg, playing with the hem of their skirt and their stockings.

”Hmm, what do I want. Well, the list is so long, you see. It'll be hard to narrow it down, but I think I'd like to see you dance for me.” I smirk with a challenge in my eyes.

My phone lights up and I look over.

9am it is. I slip it back into my pocket. I can deal with Nic and Cassi later.

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I just finish with the customer when my phone chimes. I look at the messages and roll my eyes. I snap a picture of Wayland and send it to Nic with my reply.

No, not even a little. But Wayland misses you.
9 is okay. We could leave at 930/10.

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The third wolf realizes how capable the two of us (I’m surprised with how capable Kimiko is) and raises his hands in surrender. He looks at his two buddies.

”They'll keep. Run along. I'm sure we'll see each other soon.” The third glares before running off. I bend over and pick up my leather gear and hold it in one hand. My split lip is already healed, along with any other minor cuts I sustained.

I look at the wolf Kimiko knocked out and smirk when I see the broken nose. I hope it heals crooked.

”You speak French?” I ask, making my way down the sidewalk, in the direction of the SUV which is parked a block away.

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I give him a flat look. “Did you hit your head? Or maybe I didn’t stomp on your foot hard enough.” I finish his drink for him and set the empty glass down on the table.

”Unless, of course, you meant a different kind of dance?” Raising my eyebrow, I place my hands on his shoulders and shift to straddle him more.

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I walk through the door and my phone vibrates a bunch. Smiling, I pull it out to see messages from both Caden and Cass. I react to Caden’s message with a little thumbs up before I open my conversation with Cass. the picture of Wayland makes me grin. Well, at least someone misses me :P

I hang my backpack on the hook by the door and spot my dad asleep on the couch. Jane must have mentioned something to him. I shake my head and head into my room, closing the door so I can shower and change without waking him up.

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Avery’s question catches me by surprise and I laugh, an actual laugh with a small snort rather than the polite ones I had shown in the club. I move to catch up with him. “And German, Welsh, Scot, Polish, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish… I’m trying to catch up to Caden, but I’m severely behind.” I look at him, noticing his cuts and scrapes have healed.

“Est-ce que je t'ai vu assommer l'un d'entre eux d'un seul coup de poing?” I ask.

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I place both hands on their hips and pull Nero closer. ”Yes, a different kind of dance,” I whisper into their ear. I pick up a shot glass from the table and take it before I sit back in my seat, a mischievous smile playing on my lips as I lock eyes with Nero. We had the rest of the night to ourselves now. I wasn’t concerned about anything going on around me.

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I look at Kimiko, frowning a little at her question about if I knocked a werewolf out with one punch. Did she think I was weak or something?

”Oui,” I say simply. My French accent is nearly flawless. It’s a lot better than my Spanish, at least. I had ancestors originally from France and thankfully, the accent seemed to come to me naturally. My Spanish was decent, but it was easy to tell I wasn’t native to it. ”Je ne pense pas que quiconque rattrapera Caden,” I state.

]

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I feel my ears and face warm, the typical shiver going up my spine when he whispers in my ear. I bite my lip in concentration. “Don’t laugh at me, please.” I mumble before also taking a shot.

I lick my lips and began rolling my torso slowly, trying to keep my movements fluid. The roar of the music seems to dull as all my focus went to trying to move my hips with the music. I can’t look Caden in the eyes, instead concentrating on one of his jacket’s buttons instead.

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Why the hell is he frowning? I think to myself, but decide to ignore it with a roll of my eyes instead. His comment about catching up to Caden makes me snort lightly, but I’m more entranced by his accent.

”Vous êtes né aux États-Unis, n'est-ce pas?” I ask, trying to remember parts of what Caden had told me about him. “Votre accent est impeccable.” As much as it pains me to give this asshole a compliment, I could still appreciate a flawless execution.

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I watch Nero, my partner, looking forward to our intimate moment, but only for a short time. My eagerness shifts, and I place my hands on Nero’s hips, gripping them slightly before I tilt my head to have them look into my eyes. ”Mein kleiner Kobold… If you do not wish to do this, you need not. We can do something else.”

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I stop walking when Kimiko pays me a compliment. I stare at her and then glance around. ”There’s no one around, Kimiko. We don’t need to do this dance anymore.” I truly don’t understand why she is trying to make small talk. We don’t have anything in common aside from knowing Caden and, apparently, French.

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I stay at the shop for another hour before I decide to leave. My mind keeps wandering, and all I want to do is talk to Nic. I’m of no use at my shop at the moment, and therefore, no use to any customers. I pack Wayland and Calypso up before I leave my shop and make my way home.

We both know you like Wayland most anyways. I text Nic back as I travel home.

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I blink at Caden owlishly, stopping my movements. “Wait, no, I want to, I just…” My eyes start to fill with moisture and I bite my lip in frustration. No, no, no, not now. I plead silently with myself not to cry. First I ruin our dance out on the floor with a stupid comment and now I ruin a lap dance.

“What’s wrong with me??” I ask rhetorically in a small voice. Why can’t I get this right?

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”Hey asshole, I know that.” I respond, crossing my arms as I feel my eyes shift in irritation. What the fuck is his problem??

I roll my eyes and walk past him, giving him a solid shoulder tap on my way. “Dios ayude a este imbécil.” I mutter under my breath as I walk away.

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Stepping out of my bathroom in just a towel, I smile when I see my phone light up with a notification. How can I not? He’s been a great wingman Debating it for a second, I take a selfie making the dumb thirst trap face and send it to Cass before I move to my closet to grab some clothes to sleep in. Typically I only wear boxer briefs to bed, but with my dad saying with me, I’ve been sleeping in t-shirts and basketball shorts.

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I look up and signal the bartender. They nod, and I stand, with Nero still wrapped around me and walk into a back hallway. A door opens in the wall, seemingly by itself, and I walk inside with Nero. The music of the club dims. The lights in the room we are in brighten slightly, but the mood remains quiet and intimate.

I sit down on a couch and start to pull Nero’s hair from their confines. ”There is absolutely nothing wrong with you,” I say. ”You are exceptional. You are gorgeous, you are compassionate, you are fierce, and I am highly attracted to you. Whatever you are going through, whatever is being brought to the surface, let it come. We will weather this storm together.”

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I frown when she pushes past me. Was she not making fun of me? I watch Kimiko walk ahead, letting a gap form between us before I start walking. I keep an eye on her and our surroundings but we come across nothing on the walk back to the vehicle.

I unlock the doors when Kimiko gets to the SUV so she can get in before me. I climb into the driver's seat and start the car. I turn the radio to a rock station and turn it up to prevent conversation on the drive home.

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I hum to myself as I walk, listening to the wind through the trees respond to my tone. I always loved the late-night walks through the park towards my house. My phone chimes and I open up the message. I stumble as I walk and stare at the photo. I’m caught between wanting to laugh and wanting to swoon.

I understood Nic to be charming and outgoing, but I didn’t think him to be quite so bold. A shirtless, after-shower selfie only after the first date? My word.

”Wayland, your father is a right shameless tease,” I inform the cat.

Well, I’m certainly glad he convinced me. My head already spins on how I can get him back for this.

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I hide my face in Caden’s chest as he carries me off somewhere else and stay there until he starts pulling my hair loose. I’m horrified to find that I’m still crying and rub angrily at my eyes before I remember I’m wearing makeup. I groan in frustration when I look at my hands and find black eyeliner and mascara covering them. “Why is it coming to the surface now though?” I finally meet Caden’s eyes and the floodgates open.

I can’t remember ever crying before as a demon, let alone sobbing, but it seemed like a common occurrence whenever I’m with Caden. “Why are you so damn observant?” My tone is bitter, but only because I feel like I keep messing everything up no matter what I try to do. I’m not angry with Caden - how could I be when he has the perfect response each and every time?

“Ich wollte nur einen lustigen, normalen Abend mit meinem Jungen verbringen.” I mumble.

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I wince when the music starts blasting and immediately go to turn it down. “How does that not kill your head?” I ask condescendingly. “You don’t need to blast music, you can just say, ‘Kiki, I don’t want to make small talk.’” I huff before I reach into the back to grab the top I was wearing earlier and pulling it on. Would it kill this guy to learn some manners?

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Dressed for bed, I flop onto it, sighing happily at how comfortably I fit in my bed compared to the couch. Cass finally responds and I grin, taking note of the delay. Was it the selfie that sold it? I ask cheekily. I take another selfie, but I hold the phone low so that I can fake multiple chins.

Cause if not, this one certainly will

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I smile softly and wipe at their tear-stained cheeks, covering my own fingers with makeup. I search for something to help clean them up, and I find tissues and offer them to Nero.

”Perhaps it is because I make you feel safe and therefore vulnerable to do so. As for my observational skills, well, I developed those as a means of survival. However, when it comes to you, dear little imp, I think it is because I care deeply for you. It is perhaps that I have done things or asked things of you that remind you of a past where those choices were taken from you. Now I am giving you a choice, and that is bringing up past pains.”

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”The music calms me down,” I say and turn it back up. At this point, I couldn't care less what she prefers. I simply want to get back to Caden’s so we can go our separate ways.

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I snort when the next photo comes in. I laugh and shake my head. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much.

Oh wow, stunning. I’m not sure how I landed such a catch as you. I send a sweaty emoji, laughing all the while and shaking my head.

I eventually make it into my house and release the cats from their prison. They go tearing through the home, rousing Max to join in on the late zoomies through the house. I laugh, shake my head at their antics and lock the door.

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I gratefully take the tissues and wipe furiously at my eyes and nose. What Caden says rings true, but I can’t even remember anything like that ever happening, so why does it feel correct? “That’s so dumb.” I mumble. I can feel the last of the alcohol wearing off already, the shame and embarrassment I feel sobering me up efficiently.

“Are these memories going to hurt too?” I ask, my left hand fidgeting. Today had been such a nice day with Caden, about as normal as could be for an immortal dragon and his demon. I wish it had lasted longer.

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My eye twitches as I hold back my frustration with Avery. I have half a mind to just rip the stereo out of the car, but I close my eyes and start counting backwards from ten. When that doesn’t work, I start doing it in every language I know, ending it with some mumbled poor Italian - my latest language to learn. It had been a trick my dad taught me when the Kitsune had first awoken. Otherwise he was following me around with a fire extinguisher to put out all the little fires thirteen-year-old me would set.

“Can we at least get a cheeseburger on the way home? Fighting makes me hungry.” I finally say. I have to almost shout it to make sure I’m not drowned out by the music.

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I smother my laughter with my hand, scared that I’m going to wake up my dad. Talking to Cass is quickly becoming my favorite part of any day, whether in person or on the phone. Would you still want to date me if I was a worm?

A tiny voice in my head tries to tell me it won’t last, but I ignore it. Instead, I opt to pull out the treaty I’m borrowing from Caden. Might as well drown out the second guessing with something productive.

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”It might…but it could be a mental or emotional hurt more than physical,” I said. I take Nero’s left hand and place it on my chest. ”We can figure it out together. One at a time.” I place my hands on Nero’s cheeks, rubbing their skin lightly with my thumbs. ”Let me take you home. We have enough alcohol. I can get you drunk all over again if you want.”

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I mask my amusement at Kimiko having to count backwards from ten. Apparently, I’m pissing her off as much as she is me. Good. Once she’s done, she shouts over the music, and I roll my eyes. If she talked normally, I would still hear her. I slow the car down and turn to find some fast food joint for her. It’s not like there isn’t any food at Caden’s, but whatever, I’ll play chauffeur for the little fox.

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I giggle and shake my head. Only if you promised to care for my plants. I send some plant emojis before I toss my phone onto my bed and go into the bathroom.

I can hear the cats running all over the place while scrubbing my face. The sound is soothing, but it isn’t responsible for my smile. I see Nero's smile whenever I close my eyes to wash my face. I can still hear his laugh and feel his touch. I even feel his lips on mine. I switch the tap water to cold and splash my face several more times.

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I crack a wry smile. “Are you trying to take advantage of me, Caden?” The joke comes out before I give myself the chance to think. I grimace and close my eyes, silently pleading that Caden will either just take it as the joke I meant it to be or just not even acknowledging it.

“Yeah, let’s go home.” I mumble in agreement. In an even smaller voice I ask, “Can I hide in your chest again?” I’m starting to find myself enjoying that Caden just carries me everywhere. Plus I fear what anyone will think if they saw my tear-stained, raccoon-like face right now.

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“Thank you.” I force myself to say when Avery drives the car towards a Steak ‘N Shake. I give Americans one thing, their greasy and overindulgent fast food sounds like the perfect remedy for the headache in the driver’s seat. I grab my purse and pull out one of my international credit cards, getting ready to hand it to Avery. “Please get yourself something too.” I’m not at Caden’s level of stupid rich, but with a dad in the Men of Letters, money was not something I had ever lacked.

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I hear some worms are great for gardening. I send a gif to her.

I chuckle as I type out a message to follow it. Be honest, I’d be a super cool worm. Like, so cool without even trying. I stifle a big yawn, not wanting to fall asleep yet, but the comfort of my bed calling to me.

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I shiver when Nero uses my name. They've only used my name to call out during sex. I rather liked the correlation and liked that they said it now. I know they suddenly regret what they say and I rub their back, wanting to say so many things, but I resist the urge to.

Instead I stand with Nero wrapped around me. I hold them close and kiss the side of their neck. Thankfully there is a back way to the Osiris Oasis that is used for deliveries. I'm permitted to take it now and I carry Nero out that way and to the car.

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I take the card from Kimiko but I don't order myself anything, preferring to wait until I'm back at Caden's. I place her order and pay before handing her her food. I keep the music at a normal volume for her benefit and just concentrate on driving. Once we're outside Chicago's city limits I relax a bit more.

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I make my way back into my room and dress for bed, pulling my hair loose and it tumbles down around my shoulders. I throw back the covers and curl up underneath them, looking at my phone to see what Nic had to say.

I smile and shake my head at the gif and roll over onto my back. Of course. You'd be head worm and boss all the other worms around.