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"No, he said he was running late"

Rose took her mother’s hand "Well, come sit with us then"

Her mother tried in vain to protest that she didn’t want to be a bother, but Rose insisted she wasn’t

"Where did Vince go?" she asked after she introduced her mom to Romero’s uncles and Aida

"He’s in the restroo at the menu anymore It was the same as the La Jolla Shores restaurant, and she practically had it memorized When Vince wasn’t back after an to worry That noise his sto doith so Come to think of it, he did seeo check on hi back in the direction of the men’s room to see if he was on his way back

"No, no he’s fine," Roood one before dinner" Max said "Soood--"

Rose turned to face Max, disgusted, just as Roht now?" Rolanced back at Rose and smiled "I’m sure Vince’s is fine"

She wouldn’t say what she was thinking, but hoould Ron of hi so to Sarah, who Rose hadn’t even noticed was there She tapped her on the leg "I’o see about Vincent"

Her o with you I need you to helpin the ladies’ rooo into the ladies’ roo her mother’s bra strap for like the sixth tiht Her mother looked at her watch then smiled "Yes, that’s perfect"

Rose stared at her confused She didn’t even look at it or scrutinize it in the mirror like she had the first five tirabbed her hand "Let’s go"

Rose heard it as soon as they walked out of the ladies’ roo played over the sound systenized the song but was distracted when they ca if she should knock

"He’s over here," herroom

Relieved Rose followed her but stopped when she realized the lights had been di on? Where did everyone go?" She glanced around then back at her mom as on her way toward the front door "Where did you see Vincent?" Her ?"

A little spooked and not sure why, Rose hurried after her mom who simply waved at her to follow her She hadn’t wanted to admit it earlier, but this had officially turned into a weird evening As she stepped outside with herat her with big smiles, she was stunned The entire family was there even the kids The nized the song just as the crowd opened up and revealed a guy sitting on a stool with a guitar, two speakers, and aa very soulful version of NSync’s This I promise you, but it was still very pretty

Not exactly sure as going on yet and already feeling e to do with Vincent Obviously everyone but Rose had been in on it Then she saw the boat: one of the dinner cruise boats like the ones Angel and Sarah’s restaurant offered brunch cruises on, on Sundays, only right noas all lit up hat looked like Christot closer and she realized Vincent was on it, she brought her hand to her mouth "What in the world?"

This close she could now see that the lights on the boat spelled so out When she was able to make out what it said, she choked up