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Rafe looked surprised "Not a chance They’d like to havein back But they’d rather I show uess That’s just hoe talk" He ate a piece of plantain with a thoughtful expression on his face "You know, co back here after I’ve been away for a while, this place looks shabby to ive it a facelift I tried to say that this summer and the uncles didn’t want to hear it"

"It’s coh," I supplied "Not every restaurant needs to be fancy"

"I know But I think we could update it a little, then raise the e anything"

"My dad is the opposite There’s no building in New York that he’s afraid to bulldoze If people actually knehat he looked like, he’d need a bodyguard in certain neighborhoods"

"Seriously?"

"Yeah I don’tBut e That’s norether in the sao with his fork

"Mood The stewed meats were tender and flavorful; the rice was fluffy "You’re going to have to roll e boy was shuffling toward us, wiping his hands on a chef’s apron "Hola, primo" He put a hand on Rafe’s shoulder "You know Flori is in the kitchen, texting all her sisters that you’re here with your girlfriend" The boy smiled, and his eyes crinkled up in the corners "I tell her that your girlfriend’s name is Alison, but she say maybe you havehis fork down "The Don Juan of Harkness College"

"Wherever Rafe goes," I teased, "the girls follow in little packs, hoping he’ll notice theet this close"

The boy laughed, and Rafe rolled his eyes Kidding aside, Rafe probably could have girls hanging off of him if he wanted it that way

Rafe’s mother snuck up behind the kid and asked hih, he headed back into the kitchen