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"Ethan cuts a fine form in those black suits of his," Mallory said with a wink, earning a slightly narrowed stare from her husband "But you’re the only control freak fora hand on his chest

To each her own in love, too

• • •

We chatted with relatives I hadn’t seen in years--and some I was pretty sure I’d never seen There were pictures and canapés and handshakes with cousins thrice reaiven up trying to think a game that would have been appropriate for humans and a four-centuries-old vampire

Ethan and I had ot, the House’s va caterer), with Lindsey, uard, and with Luc, the House’s guard captain and Lindsey’s beau

Malik, Ethan’s second-in-cos running while ere gone We had pro him a slice of cake but weren’t entirely sure if the "cake" my mother had ordered would count It was less pastry than edible sculpture--a tall and wriggling three-dielatin My y, o by Portillo’s on the way home, Ethan said as we looked it over That should satisfy Malik

I wasn’t about to argue with that Portillo’s had the best cake shakes in Chicago

We’d requested no gifts and had offered suggestions for charitable donations for the guests ere deter But we still received beautifully wrapped presents, including two fancy toasters, a set of expensive towels, and a dozen crystal chaenerous of the thrice-removed cousins, if unnecessary

I’m certain there are several shelters in town that would be thrilled to have these, Ethan said when I opened Toaster Number Three

Excellent plan, I said, and I siven it to us She was a great-aunt on randmother’s sister--and looked to be nearly iift," I said aspile

When the last gift was distributed and we’d thanked two dozen people for their generosity, Great-Aunt Sarah caood va down the street from me," she pronounced

We stared at her

My mother, smile firmly in place, took Sarah’s elbow "Sarah, I’ to say at a party"

Or anywhere else, I silently added But Sarah intended to have her say

"Up at all hours of the night, sleeping all day Taking advantage of the systeovernment handouts"

Since Sarah lived on her late husband’s earnings and hadn’t worked a day in her life, I didn’t think she was in e our work ethic

"Sarah,"the wo a bit rude"

More than a bit, I thought, and slid aze to Ethan, watched him work to bite back the bitter words he undoubtedly wanted to say to this ignorant woue out of consideration for me, for the circumstances Fortunately, I didn’t feel the same restriction