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"Are you okay?" the guy in purple asks

"Yes," I say, though I’uy still stands byfor Dah me when I find hiht to the stones He is standing to the side, away from the bulk of the crowd near the hallway that leads to the bedroom He is alone except for Charles Maynard, his attorney, who stands beside Da harried

I can’t see Damien’s expression, as his back is to me He has one hand in his pants pocket and the other holds a glass of wine It’s a casual position, but I see the tension in his shoulders, and I wonder if he is thinking of ht calls to hi on his face Worry Passion Need I think that he is fighting hard to give er want the distance, and I take a step toward him

As I walk, I see Maynard reach out for Damien’s shoulder and hear his voice, suddenly raised in frustration "--not listening This is Germany we’re--"

Damien turns back to his attorney, and I stop cold, as if the connection between us has been broken I consider continuing on my way, but then rule it out I am, after all, the one who is lance down atare still visible, and the tip is still slightly purple That pain satisfied a need It grounded ave ives htmore than to erase it fronal for her to colass and have just grabbed another when Jamie rushes up "Those two are so funny And they told rabs et to reive you"

"Fair enough," I say

"You’re getting pictures, right? I want to post them on Facebook Sorry," she i social media"

It’s true I’ve never used it ossip and speculation about Damien and me started, I took all the socialthat sraphs the paparazzi take of Damien and me, I rely on Jamie to find those and either e text

"It’s okay," I say "And, yeah I’ve taken soh I’ve taken very few

She narrows her eyes at htly and reassure her that of course I’m okay Why would I not be okay? But this is Jamie, and even if I could, I don’t want to deceive her "It’s been a strange evening," I adlass "Hell no"

"Where’s lover boy? Or is that the part we’re not talking about?"

"He’s doing the host thing" I look around for him and see that he’s left Charles, and is now at the center of a suests