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“Let me shower and change,” I said while standing

up. I guessed the rest was short-lived.

Halloween really was my favorite holiday. There

was something about dressing up that just appealed to me. I was never really a big makeup person, but I loved high fantasy stuff. For some reason, I was capable of intricate designs on my face. This year, I was keeping things simple. My energy wasn’t aligned for crazy makeup right now.

Drying myself off, I pulled on black leggings and a

leopard shirt followed by cat ears. I really was going very basic this year. My usual Halloween spirit just wasn’t there. Between work and my PhD., all my energy was just seemingly sucked out of me. One day soon, my joy would come back for holidays.

“A cat?” Talon quirked an eyebrow at me.

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“Shut up. You’re not even dressing up.” I childishly

stuck my tongue out at him.

“I don’t do costumes.” He shrugged. “Last year,

you went all out from what Davis said. He showed me some pictures. You painted scales all over your face and did this crazy, gory makeup. I think you were like a twisted mermaid?”

“I had more time last year. I was a siren, actually.

You saw pictures?” It shocked me a little bit. Talon and I barely knew each other until recently, simply sharing a friend.

“Aife.” His voice was rough. “I asked Davis a lot

about you.” Talon glanced at the floor.

I didn’t have a response for him, just grabbed his

hand and headed toward the bar. His words stuck in my head. Talon noticed me? He asked about me? I didn’t think he thought of me that much. Somehow, he was worming his way into my brain.

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CHAPTER 14: THANKSGIVING, WALKER STYLE

TALON

The air was crisp and humid, an indication that the

one week of fall had arrived in Texas. November had dragged on, filled with therapy and strengthening. The cast had finally been cut off, and my wrist felt free. Once I was back from Thanksgiving, I’d finally be back on the ice. I couldn’t wait; the ice was home, my last connection to my dad.

Rubbing a hand down my face, I walked through

Mom’s house. It smelled like freshly baked cookies. A smile hit me. Mom was constantly baking, and it instantly

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made me feel at home. Baking was Mom’s solace. She loved to help “fatten” people up, and she always said it was her favorite pastime.