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"Can you guys not do this?" Elijah asked with a frown, "This is supposed to be a nice family dinner,"

"It's fine, Elijah. Don't we all know it, Laura," Chandler interjected. "Trust me, we all do…I'm sure Elijah does too because he practically hears it everyday." As he said it, clearly taunting her with his tone, he stretched his arm along the back of Elena's chair. His thumb dipped dangerously, and Elena felt it brush the edge of her spine. She held very, very still.

Laura's eyes narrowed dangerously, so Elena cleared her throat. "He likes to mess with people too, I've noticed. Just ignore him."

Chandler withdrew his hand with a low chuckle that made the hair lift on her arms. Normally, it was the kind of thing that would make her want to twist his balls up in a knot—but it was so obvious that he was baiting Laura, trying to garner any sort of reaction from this woman, even if it was her contempt. Contempt, when you've been ignored and overlooked, was a preferable alternative, someti