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For a man who hadn’t been sure I existed for ot my number very fast

Ghastek leaned back and crossed his arnition and so"

Aha He and the dozens of hostages working in this building could cry ht you to draw, Ghastek? That doesn’t even remotely look like an apple It looks like a butt"

"More like a peach," Rowena said

"I have an inspection in less than twenty-four hours," Ghastek said, his voice dry "If we have quite finished critiquing s to do"

I leaned back "Are you worried about it?"

He looked insulted "No We can be inspected at any point, and ould stand up to scrutiny"

"If you are anxious, I candeliciously sweet before he co of tres leches cake or a chocolate sundae"

Ghastek stared at me "Get out"

I rose and"Come on, Julie Clearly we are not wanted here"

"I will show you out," Rowena said

I went to the door, turned, and looked at Ghastek My father had hter and I hadof hiod He is a man He loves life and he pays attention to every moment Each second is filled with endless wonder for hiertips and the color of the tea in his cup This is how he stays alive, because if he ever grows bored and disillusioned with the world, he will become a shadow of his former self and die, just like ood i official welcome Meet him yourself and make sure to afford him the small, everyday courtesies"

I walked out

• • •

"CAN I SPEAK to you in private?" Rowena asked under her breath as alked into the lobby "Outside?"