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"Was that Max?" Annie asked

Bethanne nodded

"Dad called," Annie continued "His flight landed on tiested he join us for dinner," Annie said, leaning against the glass door

Bethanne’s voice was cool "What about the conference? Won’t he be ed "You’ll have to ask him"

For a moment, Bethanne wondered if there even was a conference It had certainly coet ready for dinner?" Annie proo back inside the roo a hand on her arht want to help her"

"How am I supposed to do that?" Bethanne searched Annie’s face

"I don’t know You always hter"

"Pretend she is" Annie glanced over her shoulder "So back and forth, and I’ht set off the fire alarth of the roonaw on her cuticles

"Give me fifteen minutes," she told Ruth

"Fifteen e clothes"

"Then what?"

"Then I’ you to the bar"

"I can’t let Royce find me in the bar!" she cried

"Yes, you can" Bethanne adopted her firue with ht in the headlights of an onco car

Shortly thereafter, Bethanne escorted her to the lounge, which was a cozy, unpretentious place, with an old-fashioned wooden U-shaped bar and a few mismatched tables and chairs A cheerful bartender took their drink order Bethanne asked for two glasses of white wine, which were brought to the table a few s out

"Are you okay?" Bethanne pounded her on the back

Ruth shook her head vigorously

"What’s wrong?" Bethanne asked, startled

"Royce just ca in her purse for a tissue to wipe her eyes

"Where?" Bethanne scanned the dimly lit room

Ruth nodded toward the tall, silver-haired man who’d just slipped onto a bar stool with his back to theht?" Bethanne whispered

Ruth seeht "I don’t know if I can face hi

"I hurt hian in a broken voice that Bethanne had never heard before

"Ruth, you were young… I’otten over it--"

Ruth cut her off with a sharp shake of her head "He ht have, but I’ the now-tattered wisp of tissue Then, as Bethanne watched, she slid out of her chair and squared her shoulders

Bethanne gave her a sement

Ruth walked up behind Royce and placed her hand on his shoulder

Royce whirled around His face registered shock For a long moment all they did was stare at each other "Ruth… Ruth, is that really you?"

"Have I changed sothe answer She pressed her fingers to her lips, seee of tears