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And there had been tears--­cleansing tears The kind that renewed instead of hurt

I ended up sleeping late on Friday; when I was up, Deb toldto visit her parents and break the news I wished her luck--­luck that I needed

I’d ended up canceling the lunch date, Debbie had left the dor me up for dinner--­for our first real honest-­to-­goodness date--­and all I could think about as I waited outside, holdingmy brother had done

I still hadn’t worked out how I felt about what he did, if I should be as angry as I felt or if I should be angrier? Jase knew the kind of guilt I carried around because of what Cam had done

When Jase pulled up to the curb, he hopped out and ca jeans and a dark V-­neck sweater that soan No ood, like he was ready to step off the pages of GQ Not like every other guy around; they all looked like they belonged in a Sears catalog

He helpedfor me on the dashboard was a square pink box I picked it up and glanced at hi

I didn’t want to pop the lid, but the light brown frosting looked tasty "What flavor?"

"Guess?"

"Chocolate?"

"Boring," he said, easing away fro"

"Oh" Momentarily distracted by the awesomeness that was peanut butter and chocolate, I was tempted to crack the bad boy open and devour it

"You’re ht? Dessert can come first"

Another small smile appeared I don’t knohat it was about the cupcakes that seemed to affect me Besides the fact that they tasted delicious ninety-­nine percent of the ti I looked forward to

"Where do you get them?" I said, surprised that this was the first tiht to ask "At the bakery in town?"

"Nope"

My gaze dropped to his knuckles as I waited for a more detailed explanation The skin wasn’t nearly as raw, but still pink and ruddy My stohter Jen et in a gourmet bakery She should really start her own business"

"That’s e’ve been telling her" He glanced over atabout the girl she keepsto have to bring her over one day"

My stare started to wander to his hands, but I jerked aze to him "I’dI’d like that"

"Me too" He reached over and threaded his fingers through mine and squeezed

There was a soft flutter inhis knuckles His skin had split Erik’s He’d gone after the boy for so that may or may not have been an accident This was the perfect chance forup, but I wasn’t ready

"Does Jen know about Jack?" I asked, changing the subject

He nodded "Fah It’s kind of like the worst well-­kept secret"

After that, I fell silent Myand the food was served quickly at Bonefish Grill I could’ve eaten an entire , talking about Jack and then ht?" he said, spearing a scallop on h with it?"

I hadn’t considered that he wouldn’t "You don’t think he’ll do it?"

"He’s really nervous" Jase laughed as he settled back in the booth "Hell, I’ve never seen your brother like that"

"Me neither I hope he does do it They’re perfect together"

Jase ran his finger along the rilass as he watched me froets back"

My breath caught and I nodded "We do"

The waitress appeared with the check and as Jase leaned forward to pull out his wallet, he pressed a quick kiss against the corner of ht in his eyes as he pulled back caused my chest to lurch

"Debbie broke up with Erik," I blurted out

He paused for just a second and then pulled cash out of his wallet "That’s good news, right? I ure out why she stayed with him"

I watched him as he laid the money near the check My heart beat faster "Hehit her"

Jase froze again, but this ti back His thick lashes lifted "What?"

Nothing about his expression toldfrom me, but I kneas "He hit her Like Jerehtened, and then he pursed his lips, letting out a lohistle as he looked away "I don’t knohat to say, Tess"

"Maybe that you’re now double glad that you beat hi shade of silver He opened his mouth and then seemed to rethink what he was about to say His broad shoulders tensed