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The next h the room, and Haven juh the door "Rise and shine!"

She glanced at the clock--a few minutes past seven She pulled open the door when Do his eyebrows "Too tired to get changed last night?"

She glanced down and realized she still had her clothes on from the day before "I didn’t think about it Why are you up early?"

"Because I’! Breakfast is in order"

"Did you want hed "Of course not Da you out of bed so you could cook? We’re going out for breakfastjust you and me"

Crossroads Diner was packed when they arrived, and ot a table right away Looking through the menu, Haven ordered French toast while Doe, pancakes, fruit, and toast She wasn’t surprised because she was used to feeding hirowing boy"

"I think you’re done growing, Do his weak uns are the only ones I carry and they don’t co his words

"Yeah," he said "So ht

The waitress returned with their food, and the two of them ate Despite the fact that the place was noisy, a comfortable silence surrounded their table

"Did you ever think it would be this way?" Dominic asked after a few minutes

"What way?"

He waved his fork in the air,a life, getting a fa Carmine All of it, really Did you ever think this would happen?"

She contemplated his question as he took a bite of food "My ured I was given the life I had so the et used to it"

"I can relate," Doht off guard "No"

"I am My real momwell, no, Maura was my real mom in every way that counted The woman who birthed me was raped, and out I popped"

Haven’s ured," he said "See, you and I aren’t that different None of us are when it comes down to it The only difference is ht time and saved me from what could’ve been a disaster I wonder all the tiot lucky"

"I did," he said "You and Carmine aren’t that different, either My brother’s a spoiled little shit--that’s why he’s picky Everyone always catered to hilected, because I wasn’t, but Carmine received the kind of attention I never had to deal with"

"What kind of attention?"

"Attention frolanced around to see if anyone was listening "Atwhen I was a kid, there were about two dozen people It was relaxed, a potluck at the house Car was a few months after mine, and hundreds of people came to show their respect It had to be catered and held in a reception hall"

Haven frowned "That’s horrible"

"Not really," he said "I’m sure I was jealous then, but I don’t envyplans for his future I’rateful I never had that kind of pressure"

"Why him?" she asked "Why not you?"

"Because he’s Dad’s son, a DeMarco, and that’s what they care about--the Italian blood" He paused "Or what they used to care about I don’t know any Carmine’s spoiled, but deep down he’s still a terrified little boy, trying to figure out where he belongs, just like you’re that girl looking for her place in the world You tere searching for the sa"

"You think?"

"I know," he said "Andthe diner, Dominic stopped by the Harper residence to pick up Tess She threw a duffel bag into the back of the car and crossed her arms over her chest, her usual scowl on her face as she sat in the backseat in total silence

Once they reached the house, Tess thrust a shopping bag at Haven "It’s a swiift? "Thank you, but I don’t need one"

Tess looked a to the lake with me, honey, you do need one"

"Lake?" Haven asked "What lake?"

"We’re heading down to Aurora Lake for the day," Do "And I’m supposed to wear this?"

Tess nodded "Yes"

Haven went straight upstairs to her roo them in a pile on the floor The swimsuit was a black one-piece that tied around the neck, the bottom cut like shorts Haven put it on and tied it the best she could, tugging at it to make sure she was covered