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6

Vanessa

“I don’t seewhy you have to come with me when I’m only running to the shop for a latte and a scone,” I grumbled as I slid into my riding boots.

He was waiting in the doorway to my room, and for once he didn’t criticize me for leaving it a mess.

“Only a latte and a scone?” he repeated, raising an eyebrow. One corner of his generous mouth slid up in a smile.

“What’s the look for?”

“You know what it’s for.”

“Indulge me, please.”

“You’ve been trying to decide what to wear for the last half hour.”

“How would you know? I only just opened the bedroom door.” Yes, and he was right there in the hallway when I did. “Were you listening outside the door?” I asked in horror.

“Why shouldn’t I?”

“For starters, it’s downright creepy. Like you’re stalking me.”

His forehead creased as his heavy brows drew together. “Stalking? How can I stalk when I live with you?”

“Don’t get technical with me.” I stood with a sigh, then fumbled around on my bed for the denim jacket I’d decided to wear. It had gotten lost under another hundred things I’d pulled out of the closet. “Sometimes I wish you were more like…” I trailed off, and my cheeks burned with shame.

“Elias,” he finished, sounding resigned.

“I didn’t mean to compare you two.”

“Oh, no. I’m sure.” Sarcasm dripped from his voice.

“How can I help it?” I slid into my jacket and pulled my hair out from underneath so it could rest against my back and trail over my shoulders. “He was my Nightwarden for years.” And I had loved him, which was something I didn’t see the need to bring up. But I was sure Holden could feel it when I thought about him. At least he was kind enough to never bring it up.

“I realize that was a very personal relationship,” he said, speaking slowly. “But I can’t do my job effectively if you keep comparing us.”

“Fine, sure, okay. I get it. I’ll do my best.”

If he would only be a little more reclusive. That was my favorite thing about Elias, besides… well, everything that made me fall in love with him. Holden was just as stoic and strong, and definitely just as handsome with his angelic features and a body that could pass for a heavyweight boxer’s.

But unlike Elias, he was more open. More talkative. More intrusive, and I still wondered if that had anything to do with my mother’s influence. My mother probably ordered him to spend time with me, like that would stop a sorcerer from kidnapping me again.

I stepped out into the hallway and locked the door behind us with a heavy heart.

Why did he have to come with me?

For the last three days, I had camped out at the coffee shop with my laptop and my Nightwarden in the hope of seeing him again. My literal Dream Man.

“Why don’t you admit why you want to go back and we’ll stop pretending?” Holden asked as we stepped into the elevator.

“Why don’t you leave me alone?” I countered.

“Don’t be immature.”

“Don’t talk down to me like that. I don’t know who you think you are.”

“You know exactly who I think I am.”