Page 70 of Rise Above

Smiling, I nodded and started in on my own burger.

It was good but not as entertaining as watching the handsome man across from me eat. Everything about him made me want to analyze him. He was truly intriguing. Men usually lost my interest by now, never as entertaining as social work. Not him.

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Talon’s head was resting in my lap as his painkiller

finally kicked in. His legs were curled up and his arms were wrapped around my legs and waist. I’d been gently stroking his curly hair, hoping he would fall asleep. He seemed sleepy yet weirdly determined to stay awake.

“Aife,” he said quietly, “Why were you weirded out

about my family?” His right thumb rubbed back and forth on my legs.

“I wasn’t.”

It wasn’t a lie… not exactly. My family just wasn’t

like that. We used to be, but I had ruined that. I was so thankful to not be around them anymore. The last few years had been torture, and it was my own fault. I really only had myself to blame. That fear tightened my throat, roaring in with authority.

“Darling, your face gives you away.” He leaned his

head against my hand, silently demanding more head scratches. The man clearly had some Labrador in him. He was more like a German Shepard to me: fierce, loyal, and protective.

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“My family just isn’t like that. We don’t show our

love that easily.” My voice squeezed out of my throat, almost pained at the effort.

“Every family is different. I’m sure they let you

know how much they love you.”

Sniffles suddenly hit me. I wasn’t supposed to cry.

Rubbing a hand under my eyes, I thought about what to say. “They used to.”

“Used to?” His head popped up, head scratches

ignored. “What does that mean, darling?”

“It’s not really important. I have found family, and

they mean more to me than anyone else.” The words eased the tension in my chest, even though all I wanted to do was escape.

Talon stroked my cheek softly before I was

suddenly in his lap. I had no idea how he managed to do that. His huge arms wrapped around me, his purple cast resting gently on my thigh. His scruffy chin rested on my head. Disorientation raced through me before I settled against him.

“Aife, you can tell me.” His voice was soft, kind.

There was no push, even his face had softened.

I sighed. How did you open yourself up to people?