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It makes my heart clench for him.
And yet I must let go.
With that thought, I get up and unpack the new clothes I bought together with Audrey and Dakota. I pull them out of the paper bags and spread them on the sofa. Ripped jeans, two colorful sweaters, a few inexpensive T-shirts and sweatpants, thick socks, underwear, and military boots. Cheap things. Things I won’t care if I tear or stain. Cool things.
A makeover. The princess turning into a girl sitting by the ashes. The ashes of her past life. A princess no more.
Slowly, a smile breaks over my face. Can’t remember the last time I bought clothes without considering what my parents will say, what event they might be for, who might see me in them.
Screw them. This is me. Appearances do count, if they reflect what’s going on inside—and inside I want to break this mold, this bejeweled cocoon, and be free.
I dress, pull on my trusted charcoal gray coat, grab my purse and pause. I can’t see Dylan. But I told him I’d pick Miles up, and I promised Miles I wouldn’t vanish from their lives.
Complicated. But I don’t have to see Dylan. Pick Miles up, deposit him at school, pick him up around three, drive and deposit him at home. Wave goodbye. Leave. Done.
So I climb into my jeep, pulling my hair back into a ponytail, glad not to have to bother with makeup and a hairdresser, and head off.
Only as I park in front of Dylan’s house, I realize my mistake. Of course it wouldn’t be that easy.
Dylan is standing on the porch, zipping up Mile’s jacket. Teo is standing next to them, looking small, cute and cuddly, wearing a red jacket with the hood pulled up. Dylan straightens, tall and imposing with those wide shoulders and muscled body, and my heart flips over at the sight of his handsome face.
Jesus. Seeing the three of them there is enough to make a girl melt into a puddle of goo. It takes effort to look away, and I pretend to check messages on my phone while waiting for Miles to come down the path to the car.
When I look up again, I see that my Prime Directive, prohibiting involvement, is about to fail epically. Now, why I’m thinking of Star Trek as Dylan walks down the path, somber and beautiful, the morning light making a halo of his short hair and catching on his square jaw, is anybody’s guess. I’m not into science-fiction movies, like Erin is.
I guess my brain just short-circuited. That might explain it.
I mean, the way this boy walks sends bolts of fire down my belly and makes my breasts tighten and ache. He moves like a panther, his hips slowly rolling as he walks down the path. You can tell he packs serious muscle in his tall frame, even when moving slowly for his little brothers to keep up.
And he’s looking straight at me. Right at the fiery blush climbing my neck to my cheeks and ears.
No, no, no. I wasn’t supposed to see him. I can’t do this—can’t keep the Prime Directive, can’t frigging think when I see him. Every time I look at him, I have to fight the urge to shed my clothes and rub myself all over his hot body.
The three of them reach the car and stop. Slowly, I lower my window, shivering more at his proximity than the blast of cold from outside.
Dylan pats Teo’s head softly, then squeezes Mile’s hand. His deep blue gaze is fixed on me though.
Damn. How can you remain angry at a gorgeous man who’s so gentle with his little brothers? How can you remain unmoved?
I wet my dry lips. “Hey. Hi, Miles. Ready for school?”
There. I can play it cool.
“How are you, Tess?” Dylan asks, while Miles, the traitor, says nothing, watching us.
“I’m fine.”
“That bastard hasn’t followed you around, has he??
? Dylan’s brows draw together. “I’ll bust his face if he does.”
The heat in my face intensifies. I shouldn’t like so much the fact he’s so pissed with Sean on my behalf, that he wants to protect me. “I haven’t seen him.”
“I’ll go with you to your apartment if you need to get your things. Did Ash tell you?”
I shake my head.
Dylan nods. “Well, I will. You just have to call and let me know in advance.” He lets out a long breath. “It’s good to see you.”
