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Daddy’s taking one last shot of me on the front porch when Ms Rothschild co, Lara Jean," she says

"She does, doesn’t she?" Daddy says fondly

"God, I love the forties," she says

"Have you seen the Ken Burns documentary The War?" Daddy asks her "If you have any interest in World War Two, it’s a ether," Kitty pipes up, and Ms Rothschild shoots her a warning look

"Do you have it on DVD?" she asks Daddy Kitty is agloith excitement

"Sure, you can borrow it anytime," Daddy says, oblivious as ever, and Kitty scowls, and then herat, and it’s a red convertible Mustang driving down our street, top doith John McClaren at the wheel

My jaw drops at the sight of him He is in full uniform: tan dress shirt with tan tie, tan slacks, tan belt and hat His hair is parted to the side He looks dashing, like a real soldier He grins at ht," Ms Rothschild says, googly-eyed beside otten; we are all staring at John in this uniform, in this car It’s like I dreamed him up He parks the car in front of the house, and all of us rush up to it

"Whose car is this?" Kitty demands

"It’s my dad’s," John says "I borrowed it I had to proh, so I hope your shoes are comfortable, Lara Jean--" He breaks off and looks estures at my cinnamon bun "I mean, your hair looks soreal"

"It is real!" I touch it gingerly, I’ self-conscious about my cinnamon-bun head and red lipstick

"I know--I mean, it looks authentic"

"So do you," I say

"Can I sit in it?" Kitty butts in, her hand on the passenger-side door

"Sure," John says He cliet in the driver’s seat?"

Kitty nods quickly Ms Rothschild gets in too, and Daddy takes a picture of theether Kitty poses with one ar wheel

John and I stand off to the side, and I ask hiet that unifor the hat right? Do you think it’s too small for my head?"

"No way I think it looks exactly the way it’s supposed to look" I’ a uniform for this I can’t think ofto flip out when she sees you"

He studies my face "What about you? Do you like it?"

I flush "I do I think you looksuper"

It turns out that Margot is, as ever, right Stormy has shortened the heot the ga "My best feature, fro a little cleavage, too