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"It’s not , sweetheart"

"It’s your sisters’ fault, so it’s kind of your fault"

He shakes his head "I’ic Did you have fun?"

"I did" I nod and reach for a pair of deniirls We bonded over shoes"

"I figured you would," he says "Thank you"

"For what?"

"For hanging out with h I know you were uncomfortable"

"It was fun," I repeat and walk away like it’s no big deal Because it is no big deal I’ deal So I had wine and shopped for shoes with his sisters It’s not like ere picking out bridesry," he says rather than pressing the issue

"Me too Go ahead, I’ht there"

Before I can turn away, he has be pressed back against the vanity, his hands planted on the countertop atme, but I’le time?

Finally, he pulls back, smiles, and turns to walk aithout another word

I need a ather my wits Holy shit, that man can kiss

"I love this park" I smile and lean my head back so I can breathe in the fall air It’s not cold here, the way it gets farther north in Colorado, but I can feel a difference in the air And although the city always has tourists, it seems quieter now that school has started back up and families have returned home

"You’ve been here before?" Declan asks as he takes ers

"Of course Audubon Park is fa ht duck food with me," he replies with a sh the park "Do you knowand there are lots of oak trees," I reply with a smile

"Those are both true Do you want a history lesson, or is this boring?"

"So not boring," I reply sincerely "Teach me, Obi Wan"

He snorts and then looks up at the oaks and begins his story "These trees are inally settled by Native Americans, and then eventually by the first mayor of New Orleans His name was Etienne de Bore"