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Vale hesitates a moment, and I know this even with my back turned to her because the hallway has loose floorboards under the carpet that squeak when you walk on the my way out of her apartment, chased by demons of the past and the uncertainty of my present I suspect her hesitation ismired in as much aard confusion as I’ve been

Finally, I hear a squeak, and then another, and I know Vale has decided to co room My shoulders re her out of this apartment

My head turns to look at her over the back of the couch, finding her eyes pinned on ht tank top and sweatpants that fit her just a little too good, despite the fact they’re rattier than all get out

"You ive her body a quick rake before standing fro to a dead stop just to the side of her dad’s recliner He’s got it collapsed into a sitting position, his back raht if one should occur

"Change for what?" Vale looks between her dad andyou out," Dave pipes in with a firm voice Almost a command

"Out where?" she demands

"To a movie," I set out of this apart fun All you do is work"

Vale’s eyes narrow atalike that," Dave says with a saze travels back to me, and her eyebrows raise in question "And you’re the person that’s going to give it to me, I suppose?"

Oh, baby…you have no idea, I think to myself Because, yeah…sure, I want to talk to Vale I want to put all the cards on the table, get the truth of why she ditched o, and I want to coain, and that’s the part I most certainly didn’t tell Dave about I’et that to happen, and that’s without any degree of ego talking Vale and I are just netized to each other, particularly when it coiven herself to ht as a matter of fact

I know this because I decided that no ht, noo With that nastiness out of the way, then I’ain, if I’ of our history and a asm deep inside the one woman who once used to rockto a ht now

"Co Go put some clothes on and let’s see a movie You can relax, let your enuine interest in her well-being

Vale chews on her lower lip in consideration of the offer She looks back down at her dad, who irowls, "Don’t you dare even suggest that you can’t leave o"