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"Nothing’s wrong," she finally ht"

He heaved a visible sigh of relief and touched his forehead to hers "You nearly gaveOr hurt you"

She shook her head as he wiped another trail of tears fro for this It seems like I waited for an eternity And noe’re back I’ve athered her more closely in his arms and kissed her tenderly "You’ve always had me, Chess I know it doesn’t seeiven you what you need--what you deserve But I swear all of that is going to change starting now I don’t want to lose you I can’t envision a future without you"

She snuggled into his ar her head underneath his chin "You’ll never lose me, Tate I don’t want to be without you either I’m afraid you’re stuck withfro her cheek "I’ll suffer the inconvenience ofstuck with you"

TWELVE

CHESSY entered the Lux Café wearing a broad smile and with a skip in her step Kylie was there, and as usual, excluding the last ti late Kylie lifted one eyebrohen Chessy all but danced up to their booth But there was relief in her eyes when she stood to hug Chessy

"Thank God," Kylie said fervently "Joss and I have been so worried, Chessy We didn’t hear fro but I wasn’t so sure until now You’re positively glowing!"

They were interrupted as Joss hurried up to the table Like Kylie, there was concern in Joss’s eyes but as she studied a beahtened and a smile lit up her face

"You look so happy, Chessy!" Joss said in a hushed whisper

"Let’s sit," Chessy urged "I don’t want the entire restaurant to hear the sordid details of my anniversary weekend!"

"Ooohh, sordid!" Kylie crowed as she pushed into the booth and then motioned for Chessy to slide into the middle from the other side so she’d be flanked by Joss and Kylie

Chessy co to hear the down and dirty," Joss said "When we didn’t hear fros went badly you would have called us"

Chessy suys, it onderful Just like old times I had my Tate back"

"So did you spill your heart?" Kylie asked "Tellup your issues"

Chessy shook her head "No, I didn’t back down," she said softly "It actually began a total disaster"