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His lips twisted with sorimace "It’s prom season Not my favorite tied girls"

"They et pretty exhausting

"I have s, so it’s not so bad But I aowns Your picture was the highlight of my day"

That sounded terrible Her picture hadn’t even been that good "Do you wish you could ithwhat he loved felt like a sharp bur in her side She would need therapy if she had to do work she detested all day, every day, every week

He shrugged, but his expression was thoughtful "I prefer the creative side of the work,and altering, but it’s not very challenging"

"Have you thought of starting your own line?" She covered her o on one of those reality TV fashion contests You would win"

He smiled down at their joined hands, but it wasn’t a happy sot selected for a spot on one of those I think they liked my face better than my portfolio, but whatever An opportunity is an opportunity Stuff happened, though, and ot sick I had to turn it down"

The blood drained from Stella’s face as her chest broke open Of course, he would do that for his lanced up at her, and his expression went tender "Don’t look so sad She’s doing really well lately"

"It’scancer?" She vaguely recalled hearing his sisters , but she’d been so overwhelotten past her? What kind of person was she?

"Stage four, incurable, inoperable, lung cancer No, she’s never smoked She just has bad luck The latest treatood," he said with an encouraging sazed at him Did he have any idea how indescribably wonderful he was?

The waiter arrived, and Michael asked her, "Want me to order?" When she nodded, he rattled off the na at the rinned and pinched her chin "Details, Stella"

"Oh WellI’ve encountered an interesting puzzle withpheno at me like that?"

His head was tilted to the side, his smile particularly fond "You are adorably sexy when you talk about your work"

"Those things don’t go together"

He laughed "They do with you Continue, puzzle fascinating phenoure it out Which I will Let’s see here What else happened? Oh,me to hire an intern And I tookto Philip There was no need to mention that unco too ed "Who doesn’t think that?"

"It’s not too much if you love it Like you do"

"Precisely Please tell ing froht the likelihood of his seeing her mother was low

"That would be in about aIf you want to come with me, that is You don’t have to," she added quickly

The muscles in his jaorked as he considered her "Do you want me to come?"

She nodded "She’s threatened to matchmake if I don’t have a date" And she only wanted to be with Michael No one else

"Very dire, indeed When is it?"

"A Saturday evening Formal attire That shouldn’t be a problem for you"

The corner of his mouth kicked up, but the tension around his eyes reht, I’ll o"