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Dad nods "I’ll say he was at an impromptu bachelor party," he tells us "And came here to sleep so as not to disturb her"

I just stare--otten my dad has a first name, and that Cooper had just used it But also at the preposterousness of what Dad’s just said

"Jordan doesn’t have any friends," I say "Who’s going to throw him a bachelor party? And he’d never be that considerate, not to disturb her"

"I do so have friends," Jordan insists fro his face "You two are my friends Or six Or however many you are"

"I don’t need anyone to walk me back," Gavin declares, as Cooper reaches for his coat

"Maybe not," Cooper says grio out, leaving me alone with Jordan and my father--two men who both abandonedback when I didn’t need--or want--them at all

"You oweroom with a blanket--and a salad bowl to throw up in--for hih I’, I add, "And I’" To my dad, I say, "Don’t tell Tania I ith him when you call her"

"I may have been in prison for the past two decades, Heather," Dad says, ounded dignity "But I still have soood for you," I say Then, calling for Lucy, I hurry up the stairs to et in bed fast enough, I’ll miss Cooper’s return I know Sarah would accuseavoidance techniques

But hey, when it coo

23

’Cause when she’s his wife

And not you

She’s not the only one

Who’s playin’ the fool