Chapter 17: What Makes Me Different

I have no idea how to answer Dante's probing question.

Suddenly a woman - the red-haired one Dante was standing with earlier - appears at his side. Ashlyn, I remember.

"I told you not to give her the third degree," she says to him. To me, she adds, "I hope he isn't bothering you."

"He's not," I say quickly.

She smiles. It's a pretty, genuine smile, and I get the distinct impression that this woman is normal, like me. A regular person. Maybe it's the dusting of freckles on her nose or simply the friendliness in her eyes, but she gives off a distinctive 'girl next door' quality. Rafe said she was a baker - that means she probably didn't grow up with models and movie stars.

"Good," she says. "We were both just a little curious about you. Rafe never brings dates around."

"So I've been told." I glance back at Dante, but his intense study of me makes me want to squirm. So I keep my eyes on Ashlyn. Nice, normal Ashlyn.

"I'm Ashlyn," she says, extending a hand.

"I'm Edie." I take her h