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Faded green hair, pale skin, and a shocked expression that matched my own.

My breath was knocked out of my lungs.

Jade. I’d run into Jade.

She wore a black shirt, which she more than likely cut up herself, and a long skirt that showed a pale leg.

My throat went dry when I saw her, just like it always did.

Then her shock wore off and she wrenched herself out of my arms faster than I could blink. I immediately felt cold despite the warm weather.

She absolutely hated me, and that would never change. I could accept that.

Just like I could accept the fact that I was still totally and madly in love with her.

3

JADE

Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch

Kerry Winsor: Did I see who I think I just saw???

Comments:

Grace Day: Who? What?

Jackie Anne: It was him. I saw him myself!

Mark Bell: Never thought I’d see the day . . .

Grace Day: What are we missing??? WHAT’S HAPPENING???

I had to have sleepwalked into my own personal hell. For a while, all I could do was stare. That tall form shouldn’t have been here. I shouldn’t have seen long, wavy black hair and thick glasses. Fuck, even his tan skin hadn’t changed. I was hoping he’d at least look pale after becoming a cave-dwelling game developer.

No. He was still hot. Which made it all worse.

There was no way this was happening. This was impossible.

There was no way Gabriel Sinclair was back in Strawberry Springs. I was sure he hadn’t so much as thought of any of us since he left.

“What the absolute fuck?” I asked. Time seemed to stop as I stared. I was sure people had seen him—how could they not? And they were waiting with bated breath for me to run into him.

Now it had happened, and I had no fucking idea what to do.

My breath came out in shaky heaves. I was still sure this was all fake.

He said he wouldn’t come back. He hadn’t dared to in almost thirteen years.

Yet, here he was. As I met his deep brown eyes, I knew it was him. Gabriel opened his mouth and then shut it. I stared. Did I kill him? Did I kiss him? Did I shove a crystal up his ass?

Would I go to jail if I did all three?

There was a bang behind us that seemed to knock Gabriel out of his thoughts. He blinked and then cursed, going past me and into the alleyway.

“Hey!” I said, immediately following him. “If you have the balls to be here, then you have the balls to face me!”

Gabriel held up a hand while a giggle made its way out of the dumpster. I blinked.