It had been a mistake, touching his shoulder - and in more ways than one. Like Avery had just started the long process of taking apart the barrier she’d spent so long constructing for the sake of both herself and her daughter. He was less imposing crouched down on the ground of course, and when he anchored her hand onto his shoulder as he stood up, the warmth of his hand searing into her skin, Avery had no choice but to stand there lest she knock both of them off-kilter. She need only tilt her chin up ever so slightly in order to meet his uncomfortably inquisitive gaze.

It made her bristle.

“Stop that — whatever you're doin’.” She commanded, snatching her hand out from under his; doing nothing to hide the fact that she’d wiped her hand on her skirts as if that would get rid of the memory of his skin on hers. “Last time, I was rudely interrupted runnin’ to my appointments and this time I have a previous engagement. You heard me.” She didn’t like the way he was looking at her; as if she was a puzzle to figure out.

Avery was sure if she listened hard enough she could hear the gears turning in his mind like tumblers in a lock. If only she had gotten her abilities under control the first time, perhaps he might have left her alone from there. It only occurred to her now that she ought to ask around and see what he did for a living. At first she’d thought he was a gentleman of leisure, but he seemed too perceptive to be someone so foppish.

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