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"So, what, you want a reservation?" He laughs sarcastically

"No," I say in a firs I just heard frorip the top ofthat’ll help uys never close So, ah, I just wanted to et the words out when I hear footsteps co up the steps, and I remember the disaster I left Roith downstairs

Sawyer doesn’t answer

"I’ up the phone and whirl around as my mother opens the door and peeks in at host" She coainst uess I forgot to eat lunch today And I got dizzy there for a minute But I had so sorry a lot lately

"No fever You just rest for a bit," she says "Dad’s cooking, I’ Rowan Mary’s here We’re covered You need a break" She slance at the TV, still on "Thanks," I say

She closes the door and disappears I hear her stepping unevenly down the stairs, and I wonder how she takes it The hoarding How she doesn’t crack, being married to him

And then the phone rings right next toI look at the caller ID and wait for the naotti’s Trattoria

Ten

I panic Did he hit the call button on his caller ID by accident? If I answer, I’ll look desperate What does he want? I’ine the aard conversation that would follow

Hello?

U number Hit "last call" by mistake

Okay, bye