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He leaned forward, gathering both her hands in his "Know this, Lizzie I will always have your back If you ever need a friend, help or just a shoulder to cry on, I’ll always be there"

"Damn it, Dane, if you make me cry and ruin my makeup, I’ll kick your ass"

"Hate to tell you but you’re hardly in any condition to kick a toddler’s ass"

She glared at him and he scowled in response

"You should still be in bed recovering Stubborn fool woout of the hospital You’ll be lucky if you make it down the aisle Wade should have da alphadown that aisle alone, Lizzie"

Her eyes widened in surprise "What?"

"I know you planned to walk the aisle by yourself because you don’t have a father to give you away Not going to happen I’otiation"

A knot formed in Eliza’s throat and she tried in vain to s the obstruction The tears she’d tried so hard to keep at bay trickled down her cheeks Makeup be damned

"You truly are my dearest friend," she whispered "There’s no one I’d rather walk lihtened

"He’s a good man, Lizzie I ad in co We both care very much for you I know he’ll take care of you and protect you when I’ it on the job"

Another knock on the door sounded and Tori peeked her head in She flushed in embarrassment when she saw Dane was inside with Eliza

"I’m sorry to interrupt," she said nervously "But it’s time, Eliza Gracie, Ari and Ramie are lined up and I have to hurry back so I don’t hold up the cereot two minutes"

"Thank you, Tori," Eliza said with a s up for me"

Tori smiled back "You’re important to us all, Eliza You’ve done soday?"

With another quick glance at Dane, she hastily ducked fro it behind her