Page 125 of Pack Scratch Fever

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“I deserve that,” he murmurs when he notices I’m watching him.

I shrug. “Probably. It might make her feel better.”

I don’t need to let him know whoheris.

He turns to face me. His button-up shirt is wrinkled, his usually styled hair disheveled, and stubble covers his jaw. Bloodshot eyes indicate he likely hasn’t slept in a day or so.

But the look on his face isn’t one of defeat—it’s of determination.

“Where have you been?” I demand.

“Working.”

Of course.

I sneer. “Oh, so the one thing that ruined what we had with her. Sure, dump yourself into that.” I spit the words at him, venom lacing my tone.

But the accusations don’t affect him. Instead, he quirks his lip, amused.

“I have an idea, Avery. I know how to get her back.”

I search his eyes. “What?”

“We can win her back.”

I don’t believe him, despite the confidence in his demeanor. “And if we can’t?”

“Then we at least make sure she’s happy.”

I swallow.

I can live with that, I think.

“Tell me how.”

24

PIPER

Nightmares plague me.

I’mlate for my shift at the rescue.

I try to drive there, but the parking lot is gone, replaced by a three-story parking garage.

Confused, I grab my ticket to enter the garage and park on the top floor.

Not bothering with the elevator, I take the stairs down to the main level and hurry to the run-down shopping center…

And run straight into a coffee shop franchise.

Blair stands behind the counter, her hair pulled into a bun and an apron tied to her waist.

“Where are the cats?” I demand.

She tilts her head curiously. “We don’t have cats here. Only overpriced coffee.”

I’m dreaming. This is a dream.

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