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"Étienne," Josh says, and Meredith cracks up

"They’re teasing me because I’m the only person who calls him that," Anna explains

"You’re the only person allowed to call him that," Josh says "You and his mom"

St Clair smiles "The only two ladies I need"

"That’s sick," Meredith says, but she’s still laughing She has a wonderful, friendly laugh A tiny nose ring catches the light and twinkles Everything about her is cheerful

It’s unreal to be surrounded here, in person, by his friends Those faces froirls who has no idea that she’s beautiful She dresses in jeans and T-shirts, and she has this gap-toothed s brown hair She’s comfortable in her own skin Her boyfriend is also beautiful, but he’s aware of it Not that St Clair acts like a jerk He’s just loaded with confidence He’s short, but it’s never gotten in his way Nearly every girl at school was in love with hiuys and half the professeurs

But I was never in love with him Not when Josh was around

Anna clears her throat "Anyway Étienne and I--"

Josh and Meredith snicker

Anna grins "--ith Lola at a movie theatre Cricket is her boyfriend, and Cricket’s twin sister is Calliope Bell The figure skater?"

My eyebrows shoot up "I’ve seen her face on about a billion advertiseold"

"And you’re all here to cheer her on?" I glance at Josh He appears to be cal froainst me I rub my arms, hair on end, but the others don’t sees It’s slow and full-bodied, very French Ma it as an excuse to visit"

I turn to Meredith "Did you coht?"

"Yeah" She puts an arm around Josh and her curly head on his shoulder, but they’re clearly gestures of friendship "When I heard everyone was co, I couldn’t resist"

"And you?" I don’t look at Josh He knows the question is for hiuess Couldn’t resist"

St Clair waggles his eyebrows at Josh, but the es to a flirtatious grin "Aw, mate," he says to Josh "Admit it You couldn’t resist eous little bonbon"

"Delicious in every way," St Clair says

Anna rolls her eyes "Wait until you try his creahter as Meredith squeals The chemistry between the four of them is as if they hadn’t spent a day apart My heart squeezes, but it’s not from jealousy It’s out of happiness for Josh’s sake He leans across the table to jostle St Clair, but he knocks against my arm instead