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For once, she’s speechless.

That somehow unsettles me more than the flirting.

The way she’s looking at me after I help her up makes me uneasy. She looks like she wants to lock me in her house... and never let me go.

I blink... and it’s gone.

She just stands there, a serene smile on her face.

“Well, um... thanks again.”

Smooth, Roman.

Real smooth.

“You’re welcome.”

Her scent hits me again.

I really need to leave now.

I stumble to the door.

My hand is on the doorknob.

I don’t know why I look over my shoulder... but I do.

She’s smiling at me.

Hmmm. Interesting.

She helped me.

And despite flirting with me and that weird look in her eyes, she doesn’t seem to expect anything in return.

Odd.

She's either the kindest woman I've ever met... or she’s completely insane.

Suddenly, the room tilts.

Son of a bitch.

My legs buckle.

Everything goes black.

5

CALLIE

I knew he was going to pass out again.

I rushed to him, trying to catch him before he fell.

But he was too big.

Now we’re both on the floor, with me on top of him.