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Tapia was inhaling every word the young woentleman seated at one of his PCs To the three women who fussed over a photo albu a shirt identical to the one he as operating a printer behind him He slid his hand across the counter to Jace’s hand She welcoht knot--a knot they did not untie even when they sawhad shifted in their relationship They weren’t hiding anymore

My second was more paternal Why wasn’t Jace in school?

"Why aren’t you in school?" I asked

"Seniors get to leave campus if they want, and I had a free period"

"And you’re spending it here?"

"I wanted to visit my boyfriend"

Neither Jace nor Tapia looked to see if anyone heard, but I did

"What a?"

"Nothing, we just decided not to keep our love a secret any longer," Jace said

"Well," said Tapia

"Well," Jace repeated

"Well," I said It was my turn

"Well, it wasn’t just our decision," Jace said "My dad said--Thishe told me if I liked RT I should date him Openly Just don’t sneak around ‘No one likes a sneak,’ he said"

As hard as I tried, and with as much reason as I had, it was difficult to dislike the e"

"So do I," Tapia said

"And leave you?"

"It is iood education if you are to become wealthy and keep me in the style to which I want to become accustomed"

"You love me for my money?" asked Jace

"Why else?" said Tapia before he kissed her

"Don’there"

"What can I do for you, Mr McKenzie?" asked Tapia

"Se?or Tapia," I said

"Sí"

"Last Friday night, during your anniversary celebration, did you happen to keep a guest book?"

"Sí"

"That you encouraged people to sign?"

"Of course"

"May I see it?"