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Suzy was surprised to see Beth bring soister beside her Beth’s face turned red as she noticed Suzy studying her purchases She decided to walk away and give her so in her cotton for silk, there was no way she was going to do anything to discourage her She intercepted Nick as he was co towards the check-out and steered him out the door so that Beth could have some privacy

As Beth walked out of the door, Suzy was surprised by the size of the bag she carried If there was a moment she’d ever been prouder of her sister, she couldn’t re what everyone else already saw? It was at least a good sign because she couldn’t re froirly type store She didn’t want to eret her purchases so she kept up a constant streaer at Johnny Rockets before heading back to the house

~~~

Claire and Jason arrived around seven and Suzy was surprised to hear the doorbell chi rooe that Suzy didn’t recognize This must be the new friend at Danvers that Beth had racious, threw an arlad you could come"

Suzy only knew one Ella and this wasn’t her Claire looked at her saying, "Suz, you remember Ella from the office, don’t you?"

As Suzy hobbled over to the trio on her crutches, recognition hit her, and before she could catch herself, she loudly exclaimed, "Holy shit, what happened to you?"

Ella blushed furiously, and Claire and Beth looked at her like she’d lost her mind Was she the only one here who reo? "Your sister helpedas if tears weren’t far behind, she asked, "You don’t like it?"

At that moment she saw Ella for maybe the first time She tried so hard to be helpful because she wanted everyone to like her and she’d bet that there had been very few times in her life that she’d fit in Whereas she’d dislance, Beth had obviously bonded with her and the result of theHer teased beehive hairdo was gone and in its place, her brown hair had been straightened and now hung past her shoulders in waves Blond hi-lights had been added to accent the color Woho knew she had all of that hair under the bad hair-do? Her eyebrows had been waxed and instead of looking like one big eyebro she actually had tell defined ones

Suzy noticed that Ella actually had beautiful skin and the only thing that had been added there was a light blusher on her cheeks and a glossy pink lipstick on her lips Her hair and face were not the only changes though She actually had a figure She earing a sleeveless, silk sundress in a light turquoise color that ended several inches above her knees and a low heeled pair of beige strappy sandals She looked pretty, fresh and about ten years younger

As her sister poked an elbow in her side, Suzy realized she’d been staring at Ella for severala word Ella looked as if she were ready to bolt, obviously taking her silence for disapproval Suzy reached out and took one of Ella’s hands between her own "You look beautiful Ella and you knoouldn’t say it if I didn’t et a drink I want to hear all about your make-over"

A smile broke out on Ella’s face as they all started towards the living rooain stopped the, "Geez who is that?"

Claire stepped forward and walked towards the door saying, "That’s probably Declan; I hope you don’t ood for him to meet a few people from Danvers since he’s new in town" As she finished her sentence, Claire opened the door and Suzy could see a huge figure filling the door-way

As Declan walked inside, Suzy couldn’t help the murmur of appreciation that escaped her lips Beth and Ella both looked at her when the Mmmm, escaped her lips She arched an eyebrow and said under her breath, "Oh co wrong with appreciating a good piece of art work"

Claire led Declan over to the the introductions As Claire kept the conversation flowing smoothly with small talk, Suzy took a moment to study the new addition to Danvers He was another pri that He was similar to Nick, Gray and Jason with dark hair and tanned skin You could not be a woman and not appreciate the masculine beauty of Declan Stone There was also almost a darkness about him that both pulled you in andthat there was a lotshe was sure of, Declan would bring variety to their little group because she just knew that he’d never conformed to normal a day in his life

They all made their way out onto the back deck where Jason and Nick were drinking a beer and arguing over who could grill the best steak Beth had in daiquiri for Claire Suzy hobbled over to a seat and Beth helped her put her foot up onto a stool Declan walked over to join the men and Claire motioned Ella to join the ladies at the table

Claire slad that Gray will be hoone so long I’lad we have Declan now to spread so out tomorrow to take Gray’s place"

Suzy leaned over and took her friends hand "You don’t worry about us I’ve had two babysitters with me the whole tiht pop at any second" Wrinkling her nose in confusion, she continued, "You don’t think it’s getting like over-done in there, do you?"

Claire burst out laughing She’d soher friend at the office every day Suzy couldelse in the world could From the expression on her friend’s face, she could tell that she was dead serious as well "No, you can’t overcook the that lets you knohen they’re ready It’s pretty noro past its due date so it could still be quite soet comfortable in the chair, Jason walked up behind her and helped her put a pillow behind her back He reached down and dropped a kiss on her lips, caressing her cheek with his hand before returning to talk with the men Suzy was certain there wasn’t a dry eye at the table at the obvious love that sparkled between Claire and Jason

Suzy cleared her throat and steered the conversation to Danvers She got caught up on the latest gossip just as the steaks were finished, and Beth went to get the roasted potatoes and the salad froerator Ella went to help her and soon they had the table set and everyone settled into a chair Suzy sat between Claire and Beth with Nick on Beth’s other side, and Jason on Claire’s other side Ella so between Nick and Declan She looked like she hoped the deck would open up and s her whole She saw that Beth had also noticed the saure out a way to save Ella fro her

Luckily, Nick could always be counted on to keep the conversation going and, as if he’d also noticed Ella’s discoreat pains to draw her into the conversation and make her comfortable Suzy had to adht she caught Declan studying Ella a few ti she couldn’t be sure Ella was nowhere near in his league; he’d chew her up and spit her out and that Suzy would never allow