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"That’s an areat," Daddy enthuses "Obviously no white wine for you, but the cheese puffs, definitely!"

"Oh, Daddy," we all chorus, because he loves it e do that, when he gets to be the cheesy dad (pun intended!) and we all groan like we’re exasperated and say "Oh, Daddy"

When we’re doing the dishes, Margot tells me I should folloith the Belleview idea for sure "They need so up the Dutch oven "Fresh energy, new ideas People can get burned out working at a retirement home Janette will be relieved to have an extra set of hands"

I et everybody offI really should talk to Janette

When I go back upstairs, I have a missed call from Peter I call hiround "Did you talk to her?" I hope hope hope he believes me now

"I talked to her"

My heart thuds "And? Did she admit it?"

"No"

"No" I let out a breath Okay That was to be expected, I guess Gen isn’t the type to lie down in the street and die She’s a fighter "Well, she can say whatever she wants, but I knoas her"

"You can’t get all that from a look, Covey"

"It’s not just a look I know her She used to be my best friend I kno she thinks"

"I know her better than you, and I’ you, I don’t think it was her Trust irl to girl, ex–best friend to ex–best friend, I knoas her I don’t care how ut, her bones "I trust you I don’t trust her This is all her plan, Peter"

There’s a long silence, and I hearin my ears, and they sound crazy, even to me

His voice is heavy with patience as he says, "She’s stressed out with faainst you, Covey"