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I a day and I ah the s of the hotel seems like an anoly beautiful summer day

I turn toward the entrance, but I’m stopped by the vibration ofDamien

It’s a text fro behind me, a few feet from the entrance to the bar He lifts his hand and waves

Despite rin and wave back

He lifts his phone, and I see hie A second later, my phone buzzes

Hey, lady Can I buy you a drink?

I can’t help it--I laugh A little early, isn’t it? I type, but the e doesn’t send because ot to plug it in e got back froht

I hold it up so Ollie can see it and then, with an exaggerated gesture, I drop it fro useless and slightly gross Then I start walking toward hioes in ahead ofat the bar The bartender comes up to us and slides a martini in front of Ollie and a bourbon on the rocks in front ofboth to the bartender and to Ollie "It’s a little early"

"Doesn’t feel like it," he says "Not today"

I take a sip of the drink "No," I agree "It doesn’t"

He stirs the lad Stark’s in the clear I am I swear"

I study his face, because I do not understand where this is coht shiny sparkle of welcomeness in a shitty day that should have been an incredible one So I do the only thing I can do--I sured you’d be locked away celebrating," he says

"Damien’s asleep"

"Must be exhausted," Ollie says "I am It’s been a hell of a wild ride"

This is small talk, and I can’t stand it "Do you know?" I dees?’

He tilts his head as he studies me "Is that really a line you want me to cross?"