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“No Thank you”

Ariel rose to her feet and gave me a look before she headed for the door

We hadn’t talked about what happened that night When I openedmy hand She didn’t ask me any questions or say she told me so She understood I didn’t want to talk about it, and she let it be

And I was grateful

I deserved to be told off for ment

I deserved the bullet that pierced my skin and nearly penetrated my heart

Ariel stopped at the door “Crewe?”

“Yes?”

“Lay off the scotch”

Ia word, unable to fulfill her request The booze was the only thing keeping“I’ll think about it”

2

London

I finishedlate because I had a date that night, and I’d barely have ti with h the door, I took a quick shower and ed ain and walked to the pizza place where ere

Will and I were set up by s about hi nervous like I usually did on a first date, I didn’t feel anything at all

I walked inside and saw hi a t-shirt and jeans He had dirty-blond hair and light-colored eyes, looking handsome but with a distinct boyish charm He smiled when he saw me, a dimple in each cheek

He was cute, but I didn’t feel that thrill shoot down my spine

I walked over to him and extended my hand “It’s nice to finally meet you”

He shook my hand “You too”

I took a seat across fro?”

“That you’re very pretty,” he said with a smile

A chuckle formed in my throat, but I didn’t let it escape “I et?”