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She tried to lick it off. Did I get it?
He pointed at his own upper lip. No. There.
Jordyn tried to reach it again. He laughed.
Jordyn threw up her hands. Help me!
Oisin set down his cup. He knelt in front of her and
reached for her face. Hold still, he said. She looked up
at the sky like she did at the doctor s office or the
cosmetics counter. He touched her upper lip, running his
fingertips slowly across her mouth. He wiped away the
chocolate, his touch familiar and unwavering. Jordyn
lowered her gaze and looked into his eyes,
unembarrassed.
Beautiful night, she said.
Beautiful.
On the street below an ambulance wailed. Oisin
looked over his shoulder. I should go.
But you just got here.
I know. I m sorry. Thanks for the cocoa. He
gathered his coat.
Jordyn showed him back into the kitchen. I m glad
you could come. Thanks for the rose.
He put on his overcoat and she walked him to the
porch. He started down the stairs. Oisin, wait, Jordyn
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called after him. He turned around. I m supposed to go
to this benefit for our school. It s the Saturday before
Christmas. Would you like to come? With me, I mean.
Oh, uh, I have something I . . . a prior
commitment.
Of course. It s Christmas. You already have plans.
No big deal. I can t let Emerson go alone anyway, can
I? she added with a forced smile.
I m just a bit busy that night. Can I see you
Christmas Day?
Her smile warmed. I d like that.
The sirens grew loud. I have to go.
Bye, said Jordyn. He pulled his coat tight, jogged
down the stairs, and walked toward the children s hospital
at the end of the block.
Jordyn went back upstairs to clean up the terrace.
She leaned over to pick up the cups. The red scarf fell
forward. Jordyn looked over the edge of the terrace, but
could not see Oisin. She ran downstairs and out onto the
sidewalk to catch him, but he was already at the end of
the block, silhouetted in the lights of the ambulances
pulling into the emergency room driveway. She ran her
hand down the soft wool and went inside.
Jordyn stopped in the kitchen to give the rose
another drink. She picked it up, sniffing its summery
fragrance one more time. With her free hand, she pulled
the red scarf to her face. It smelled like cloves and
cinnamon. The front door rattled. She listened for the
sound again. When it didn t come, she decided it was the
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wind or her imagination. She turned off the lights and
carried her rose upstairs to bed.
Devin waited for Oisin at the end of the block.
It must be hard to leave her, she said.
It is.
Devin looked at her watch. It s almost time.
I know.
We need to go now. Devin took Oisin by the
elbow and they walked together into the screaming light
of the ambulance.
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CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
COMPULSION
Jilly sat on the window sill just before Geography.
Logan called from the front of the room, "He hasn't been
here for at least a month. What makes you think he'll
show up today?"
"I don't know. Maybe a little Christmas miracle or
something."
Alex sat beside her. "Yeah, Logan. Where s your
Christmas spirit?
Term's almost over. I don't think so," said Logan.
He looked out the window. "I don't see anyone out
there."
"Really?" said Alex. "Take a look at that." She
pointed at a man in a dark overcoat.
The street cleaners hadn t been out in weeks and the
trash had accumulated since Pritchard last walked the
block. He carried an armload of small bags, stooping
every few feet to pick up a scrap of paper or crushed pen.
"Santa Claus does exist," said Logan.
Alex squealed. "Mark, you still got the binoculars in
your desk?"
"Yeah."
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"Hand 'em over. Now!" she yelled. She peered out
the window. "Weird.
Of course he s weird said Mark, handing over the
binoculars.
Alex scowled and adjusted the focus. No shit,
Sherlock. I meant, he's not wearing a tie."
Logan pushed her aside and took the binoculars
from her hand. "Let me see." He watched Pritchard fill
bag after bag, scribbling so many notes he didn't pocket
his pen once.
Jordyn and Will walked through the classroom door.
A dozen students angled for a spot at the window. Jordyn
whispered in Will's ear. He nodded and they pushed into
the crowd. Prichard poked at the bits caught in the storm
drain.
Professor Embry walked in and sat at his desk
unnoticed. He slammed a drawer. Chapter twenty,
people. Look alive, bellowed Embry. The students
jumped then scattered to their desks.
Jordyn passed Will a note. So?
Will shrugged. He returned the note. Can't be good.
They opened their books and listened to Embry
summarize the semester. The professor wrapped up his
lecture fifteen minutes early. "How's that for an end of
term treat? he complimented himself. I suggest you use
the time to proofread your papers. Remember, they count
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