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He should know His brother’s mistakes were often repeats of his own

She tilted her head in thought and placed a fingertip to her lips “But you’re not a soldier anymore”

“Nono, I’h his chest It had been a bittersweet decision not to reenlist

“What are you going to do now? You can’t play cupid forever”

“Is that how you seepeople with arrows?”

She tried to suppress a grin “I’d say you’re about as far away froain You’re good at that”

He chuckled and turned his head to look out over the town The longer they stayed up in the air, the less he felt afraid The Town Hall was just to the north, built with an ied on the hour In front of him was the library The same pale limestone blocks made up the exterior walls and created a stark contrast to the yellowing autu the road They were buildings that had stood the test of time, from the days of their town founders to now The people who built these knehat their future held He didn’t

“I’ you because I happen to like you And despite your taste in lance in her direction She was chewing on her lower lip and staring at the cart swinging in front of the to do now A lot of people thought I was going to be a career soldier, but when it came time to reenlist, my heart just wasn’t in it”

She nodded her head “That’s understandable”

“As for what comes next, I really can’t answer you I feel so lost I’m not sure there’s a place for me in this world”

He’d never told that to anyone He was shocked when it caue Usually, when he tortured hihts of the future, shame seemed to accompany it But not now Not with her It was easy to talk with Michelle

She leaned closer to cover his hand in hers and looked up at hi his train of thought All he could think about was the sweet scent of coconut wafting toward hiht breeze Was it her shampoo or a perfu So was the thrilling touch of her hand on his

“You’ve got a place in this world, Joseph Believe me You’ll find it”

He ed to s inside his head at that very ht”

His gaze flicked to her pink lips and then back up to her eyes She was staring at his ut instantly war it He reached out to pull her hair back froaze trailed up his face to ain and she blushed violently