mile plastered acros

g. He buried his face in her hair, nuzzling her neck. S

was tall, not nearly as tall as Garin but he was close. His build was lankier with leaner muscles. Where Garin was refined, Lyall was all rough edges. D

hair secured into a tight braid that lay between his shoulder blades. His

r and jeans with the knees torn out. He apprai

spend most of the day here,” he pushed some of her cu

her grandmother and he gave her

She chided him and swatted at

ined and leaned against the ra

work closer to h

e looking into openi

e dread that crept into her stomach. He

ing some storefronts. We have enough inventory that we could go a year

er arms around him. He smiled at Willow over h

hustled back to the kitchen, whistling a jaunty tu

he asked, his eyes looking h

tightly. With a laugh,

wed her the small twig he had plucked fr

went for an early run,” she fought bac

when you get up.” He said a

e?” she asked, trying to

until after the festival. Which makes sense sinc

She t

café though, so I don’t know how much free tim

ors anyways. Plus, I can always come hang out w

ly. “Well, I’m going to head up,

and soft. It just wasn’t…electric. She kissed him back and quickly withdrew. Hurrying up the sta

, friendly, and seemed to genuinely care about her. Maybe it’s because he is her intended. She had

n touched her hand. It was exciting, thrilling, and dangerous. She ran her forefinger along her palm where his f

blotted out the sun, giving an eerie glow. Willow loved it. She hoped it would storm. Nothing compared

that Lyall was here. He would probably insist on spending time with her if it ra

grandmother ca

h pretending to still be asleep. Her gran

ly a handful of restaurants in town. She hoped they weren’t going to the

n earlier. She took a quick shower, wanting to get the evening over with. Wrapped in a towel, she stare

y an aunt and never worn. Laying it on the bed, she studied it incredulously. It wa

ody tightly and ended well above her knees. It left nothing to the imagination. Her every curve was on displa

de of a dark lace. She decided to wear her hair down tonight, which meant she would have

aming her oval face. Her face looked sad against the done-up hair and outfit. Quickly

ing over her nose. She loved them, choosing to never we

hat she couldn’t exactly wear her Doc Martens. Begrudgingly she went back up

He was wearing his hair mostly down, with the top tied at the back of his

and grabbed her hand, givi

n’t even know you owned clean clothes,

you ready? I ma

r grandmother appeared instantly as if sh

eautiful. You both do.

lready running late,” Willow tried to stop her b

s late as you want,” she thre

re,” Willow groaned and pushe

w found she had nothing to say. She was very aware of the close proximity o

t. The Twilight Lounge was burned into a large wooden sign above the door. The building had recently been r

indows. The only light that seemed to c

ow asked him, a sardonic tw

astropub!

tropub?” she asked as he led her i

the low light. Maybe he wasn’t so bad, sh

ered in exposed ductwork. But a smell was drawing her attention from the