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"But neither do you," I remind him

"That’s different," he says

"I don’t see how," I say "I er than you" But what’s seven years, really? Prince Charles and Lady Diana were twelve years apart…and okay, that didn’t turn out so well, but how likely are we to repeat their mistakes as a couple? If Cooper and I ever were to become one, I mean Neither of us even likes polo

"Besides," I say, re what I’d seen out of the ambulance"I do have a fada and Pete and Patty and you--"

I didn’tin the air between us You You’re part of my family, Cooper My new family, now that my real faratulations!

Cooper just looks at me like I’m crazy (how unusual) So I add lamely, "And Lucy, too"

Cooper exhales slowly

"If you really feel strongly that what happened wasn’t an accident," he says at last, pointedly ignoring the We Are Family speech (don’t think I don’t notice), "and you really think soo to the police"

"I tried that," I remind him "Remember?"

"Yes But this ti to make sure--"

His voice trails off as a petite, attractive brunette co roohted down by afro I still knoho she is I’ve seen her with her e will be forever burned onto my retina

"Excuse me," she breathes to the stony-faced receptionist "But I believe ht When can I see him?"

Tania Trace, the woman who’d taken my place in Jordan’s heart and penthouse--not to mention my position on the music charts

"Funny," Cooper observes "She looks as if she’s handling the pain quite well"

I glance at hi I’d told hio, after I’d firstout on painkillers But I’ery and expect to live a pain-free life I mean, she’s been alhteen"

"Right," Cooper says "Looks like o

And none too soon, if you ask irls

Shout out to my

Friends

Shout out to the

Ones who love me

On those I can depend