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My mother and I weren’t especially close As my father focused on business, uilds, hosting socials, arranging donations that got "Merit Properties" on buildings or plaques or benches Things that Charlotte dealt with better than I did But given that she’d coordinated rateful

"Both, I guess" As she turned to slip an aret too chaotic, I wanted to say thank you for everything that you’ve done to get this wedding off the ground Without you, we’d probably be eloping at a Waffle House"

"Perish the thought," reat pleasure working with Helen" She reached out and squeezed Helen’s hand like they were old friends, which disturbed me more than it should have Helen already wasn’t a fan ofmy mother’s ear would i will be beautiful," Helen said "As befits a Master of Cadogan House"

Not as befit a Sentinel, or two vampires in love, but as befit the Master

I would be the bigger vampire "Of course," I said sireed instead of arguing Or maybe because I hadn’t let her see that the arrow had found its horoup "I think we’re all here Let’s get started!"

She opened the door, and the group began to funnel into the night

Mallory slipped an ar thank you"

"If it’s all doves and chicken dances, I’ it"

"I’m not sure what that means, but I’ve noted it for the record"

That would have to do

• • •

Another night, another liht and a little sassy, tonight’s was much more serious Led by Helen andoff for serious events Prestigious events Socially i as I watched the dark city pass as we drove toward the Loop

I was getting ood about it

Mallory, who sat besideto wear out your cheekto be asked to slance at my ?"

"Four hundred," I whispered back

"And you’re going to have to say hello to each and every one of theht about that--not in so ht, and I’d make the best of it

"I like those T-shirts," I said, plucking her hem