“Watching the couple, she silently wishes she had just cleaned out her damn coffee pot.”

“In one swift motion she’s out of his arms twirling about. Startled and then ecstatic, she feels lighter than air, laughing in spite of herself. Light hearted, she keeps spinning feeling the stress and pain strip away from her. She was surprised by how confident she felt. How alive.”

“It felt as real as the dusty air she sucked in before and rushed out after.”

“She deftly snatches her mace and holds it in her purse for cover. She’s totally not about to be taken in by some pale silver eyed maniac.”

“Helen makes a mental note to pick up a self help book the next time she was out. This was getting ridiculous.”

“His smoke eyes lighten as she closes the gap between them, and he slowly seals it wrapping his arms about her.”

“Even as she walks through the door she can feel the eyes of the dark figure in the corner.”