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"Yeah Hi I--I hope it’s okay that I called"

"Of course Has so happened to the Doctors Caine?"

"No, no, they’re fine! I was calling because, well, I’ht maybe we could meet up"

After a brief pause, Paul says, "You came to San Francisco by yourself?"

"No I caot upset because I--well, he stormed off So now I’m all alone in the city for a couple of days"

"Private Beck left you on your own?" At least one of us is genuinely angry

"I’ht!" I feel the need to uot a hotel room, and my suitcase, and a ticket back home in three days But until then--well--I could use so I start to wonder if we lost our connection Finally Paul says, "Would you allow me to take you to dinner?"

He speaks so formally, sounds so unsure I’m reminded of Lieutenant Markov, and the way he loved the Grand Duchess Margarita for so long without ever saying a word I can feel ht on my face "I’d love that"

Next up in this di ready for my hot date with Paul while Theo is in the saet dressed in the bathroo the other elements of le without to seduce hiether with other-di Our relationship issues are not like most people’s "I just need hi hionna melt the minute he sees you"

I pretend I can’t hear him Instead, I finally conquer the zipper, then step as far back as I can to look at htly shorter than I am, and her boobs are way better But the way this dress is cut, the differences in our sizes don’t matter The neckline cascades in soft folds, Grecian-style, then flows freely down to slightly past h the dress has no sleeves, some of the red fabric drapes over my shoulders almost to the elbow It doesn’t show s, and the fabric remains cheap, but the overall effect is undeniably sexy

My short hair makes me wince If I could tie it up in a messy bun, that would look perfect Instead, I ith the bob as best I can, pulling one side back with a shiny metal clip

Lipstick here is almost alorn dark red The shade matches the dress, so I’m happy with it I have no jewelry besides the Firebirds, tucked beneath old chains shows at ain, step out of the bathroom, and smile "How do I look?"

Theo just stops He stares at me like he can’t move, or maybe even breathe His expression reuerite’s pocket

I think maybe the tiny bathroom mirror didn’t do justice to this dress

Then Theo snaps out of it "You look s, my dear"

"Very British of you" Stupid joke I have to joke, distract hi to break the tension between us

"Should I say ravishing? Gorgeous? How about lovely? Lovely works"

I e to smile "Thank you"

When I step into the shoes, I wobble--heels aren’t ainst his shoulder Once I’ve got theh, he doesn’t move back I don’t take my hand away, either