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"I love you I love you est person I know, and every day, you a me"

She choked back a sob "Jesus, what is withto wipe away her tears before anyone saw her crying

"I love you, too, Reed Thank you for loving ot to run Whitley is out of the restrooht Y’all be careful, and don’t wander off the paths, okay?"

She let out a laugh "Okay, Dad"

"Give et to the restaurant, okay?"

"Okay Hey, Reed?" she said in a hushed voice

"Yeah?"

"Thank you for showing e to do this"

I tried to s the luet out

"Talk to you soon I love you Bye"

I had to look away and stare out theI saw her walking out with Whitley, but she didn’t see me

"I love you, too, Courtney Bye, baby" When I hit End, I wanted to just throwI wouldn’t do to take ahat had happened to her

When I felt Layton put his hand on my shoulder, I remembered where I was I took a deep breath, turned back around, and tried to give him a smile

"Reed, you can’t take away the pain and hurt, no matter how hard you wish you could Just be there for her Listen to her when she needs to talk Love her when she needs to be loved, and oal in this life"

I noddedit up, so the bartender could see it I held upanted twomarried tomorrow" I punched Layton on the side of the ar married tomorrow "Oh, dear God, what if she wants us to say our os?" I asked as I reached for the full bottle of beer that was just placed in front of h "I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Court decided for y’all to say your os"

I just stared at Layton

"What in the hell aht the beer up to my lips and practically drank it all in one drink

Layton threw his head back and laughed "You say what is in your heart Don’t worry though…I already asked Court if y’all were saying your os, and her exact words were, ‘Oh, hell no’"

My lared atto cause ed his shoulders and took a sip of his beer "You’re just so much fun to fuck hen you’re a basket case"