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"Gross," Danny announced

"Oh shut it," she told her brother, then crossed the small space so Jackson could brush his mouth over hers in a sweet kiss that ers over his beard growth, s more and reement "Yeah, you totes do Seriously, dude, what’s with the beard?"

Jackson’s expression beca, is all"

She narrowed her eyes "Prepping for what?"

Shrugging, he headed back to the refrigerator The sculptedon the top shelf "There’ve been soruff and careless, causing Mia and her brother to exchange a wary look

"What kind of rued with a tub of arine He turned to face her, but his eyes still revealed nothing "Just so in the desert"

"The desert?" A spark of panic ignited her belly "You

"Huh," Danny said slowly "So you guys all grow beards before you ship out? What, so you can blend in?"

"Souely

As if on cue, the cell phone on the counter rang It was Jackson’s, and Mia’s worry doubled as she watched hi indefinable flickered in his eyes "I’ve gotta take this," he ht back"

"Is it the base?" she blurted out