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A few hours later we entered the restaurant, and the waiter took to us to a private rooh the busy dining roo to one another--star struck on recognizing the Seahawks’ starting QB Molly ducked her head and tried to rush forward, clearly e her close to his side He hated the liht too

As we entered the private roo view of the Sound, I exhaled, s outcalled from across the room

"Ally!"

I beamed a smile at Lexi--one of my best friends--who had risen from her seat and rushed toward ht in fra healthy now that she’d filled out soht, and grown to the reen dress with long sleeves and ankle boots

She looked beautiful

Reaching out, I took Lexi’s hands in mine and leaned in to kiss her on her cheek I squeezed her fingers tightly and stepped back I had to suppress the urge to pull her in for a hug Lexi couldn’t be touched that way because of her anorexia Although she was in recovery, it was still a trigger for her to be touched on her back

"I’veup at me

"I’vein Seattle now too! It’s crazy! Two Ba for the Seahawks!"

At that moment, Austin Carillo, Rome’s best friend, appeared behind his wife and leaned over her to kissback, wrapped his fully tattooed arainst his chest Austin was the one exception to Lexi’s triggers, the only person who could touch her Austin had saved her life five years ago when she al disorder, but their love for each other proved to be stronger He was her reason to live, and she his

Spotting abehind Austin and Lexi, I leaned round, only to see a handso aardly He ell built and athletic He casted shy eyes my way, and my mouth dropped when I realized who it was…

"Levi? Little Levi Carillo? Is that you, darlin’?" I asked I ray eyes as he raised his head, a deep red blush i his olive-skinned cheeks

"Hey, Al," was his quiet reply as I ran to hi hihow rown up on aze, a shy s on his lips "How old are you now, darlin’?"