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"None of us are too busy for your dad He’s important to all of us and alas"

She tilted her head and se, didn’t we?"

"Yeah, we did"

"Though all of you gave ave you a hard time That was Trevor"

"Please You teased me mercilessly And especially Trevor, who tried to bribe me to do his schoolwork for hi"

She laughed "Clearly And look at hiend in his own mind"

She laughed at that "My hope is to someday be in a position to shove a microphone in his face and make him as uncomfortable as hu And he’s in sports It could happen"

"If things go ith this new national job I’m in line for, it could definitely happen"

"Oh, yeah? What new job?"

"National sportscaster"

"No shit?"

She grinned "No shit I don’t want to talk too ers are crossed"

Haven was gorgeous Tall, curvy in all the right places, short raven hair, theblue eyes he’d ever seen, and just about the smartest and savviest woman he’d ever known She was on-topic on any subject, and she knew sports as well as any guy "You’d be perfect for the job, Haven I hope you get it"

"Thanks Me, too"

"Have you told your dad about the opportunity?"

"Yes He’s very excited fortiain "He’ll be there watching over you, honey"

Her eyes filled with tears "I knoill"

Not wanting tohe had a plane to catch, Drew finally stood "I guess I should head out"

Haven hugged hi today"

"Stay in touch, okay?" he asked as he hugged her back

"I will"

He went down to the parking lot and cli up at the hospital, still unable to leave, to make that final break from Bill He finally just dropped the keys in his lap and released the tears he’d held in check

TWENTY-EIGHT

"I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S HERE, CAROLINA YOUR DAY HAS finally arrived"

Carolina took in a deep breath, knowing it was probably the last time today she’d be able to breathe She turned to her assistants and nodded "It is I couldn’t have done this without your help"

Edward pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose "Youif I said I wasn’t excited as hell to be here"

"You’re going to knock them dead out there, Carolina," Tierra said "And like Edward, I’m thrilled to be a part of it"

"Thank you Both of you Now let’s go get everyone dressed Is makeup here?"

Tierra nodded "Just arrived Hair people are here, too And Jessica is checking in the eous"

She turned and gave a quick hug to her brother "You made it"

"Of course I did"

"Are Mom and Evelyn here?"

"Yes Morinned "That’s great I’ll go check on her"

"Don’t worry about her You have enough to do Between Evelyn and everyone else fawning over her, she’s in heaven She gets to azine people today And watch her daughter’s big debut"

Just the thought of ould be out in the audience todaywith the editors of sorabbed Gray’s aroing to kill it Nohere do you need me?"

"See that cute brunette over there? Just tell her who you are and she’ll tell you what to do and where to go"

"Okay" He kissed her cheek and wandered off

Carolina took aoff to see to the rack of clothes currently being guarded by one of her staffers She and a few of her staff re any wrinkles while the models were busy in makeup and hair

"All the an"

Carolina squeezed her eyes closed and counted to ten She tossed Jessica her phone "His number’s in there Call him and ask hihtmare without Drew He was supposed to wear three of her menswear outfits He’d promised her he’d be here He’d already bailed on the print ad--surely he wouldn’t drop the ball on this, too, would he?

"No answer," Jessica said, handing her phone back "I called twice"

Dammit "Okay Thanks, Jessica"