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And, of course, a all those words, the one I latch onto isbeautiful

Because I’m still an idiot

Half an hour later, alk into the coffee shop, where Cory’s blond head rests on his ar of the chair--al, "What--who?" Then he rubs at his eyes "What’s the deal, Lo?"

"The deal," Logan says in a deadly calet your arse back to the flat, pack up your shit and go home You’re done"

Oh crap

"No, Cory--you don’t have to do that--it’s not your fault" I tell Logan, "It’s not his fault"

But Logan doesn’t even look at ers

"You’re gonna want to move now, mate, or you won’t like how I’ll move you"

Cory frowns down at the table Then he pushes out of the chair, so hard it falls back, and stoan locks the door behind him

"Why did you do that? I’an points toward the door "Did you bash hi his tea?"

No

"Then it’s his fault--and he knows it"

"Couldn’t you give him a second chance?"

"No Not in this job" He moves closer "We have to be focused and ready--alert at all tiet someone hurt, or killed What if he’d fallen asleep while your sister and the Prince had been here?" His voice sharpens "What if soain The wonderful waran makes me feel precious with every word he says--and every breath he takes

THE DAY OF ELLIE’S HIGH SCHOOL graduation is sunny--one of those bright, clear days when the sky is the color of a robin’s egg and the air is both cool and war deck near our flat to Amelia’s, to pick up Ellie and Marty and her dad Toer seat After about ten minutes on the road, he looks at me suspiciously froon?"

I hit the signal and ht This Feeling’ by REO Speedwagon, if I’m not mistaken"

Huh Didn’t even realize it

My hands slide over the steering wheel as I shrug "Ellie made me this playlistit’s actually not half-bad"

Tolasses down his nose and stares at ht now?"

I glance at hihs and pushes his sunglasses back into place A minute later, the wanker tilts his head back, and belts out "Keep on Loving You"

And I look for a spot to pull over so I can stuff him in the trunk

Ten minutes later, I park in the alley behind the coffee shop and Toh the back door

We’re welco

"Fuck my ass!"

And I choke on my own spit "What did you just say?"

She turns fro "I don’tI mean, I’ve never tried"

My eyebrows jump to my hairline

"It’s just an expression!"

Toirls have odd expressions"