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He seemed a bit more at ease, too The conversation wasn’t as stilted, but it wasn’t lively, either Sam mentioned the Seahawks and seemed surprised that she knew a fair bit about professional football It was co to have scored points with hilanced from one to the other and said, "You should tell Sam the story you told me about Mozart"

Beth chanced a look at Sa about Mozart?" she asked

"Of course he would," Rocco answered for him

Sam shot his friend a look that clearly said he could answer for himself "Sure, why not," he said

"I’ll tell it," Owen said, excitedly "Mozart started playing the piano at age three and was coe four"

"That’s cool," Sam said, clearly uni around that age"

Owen frowned "I don’t know Do you?"

"Nope"

The remainder of dinner passed quickly, with Nichole and Rocco carrying lance at Beth and they’d share a look She hoped he understood she was as ive any indication what he felt, and that was fine

As soon as the dinner dishes had been cleared, Nichole said, "I made applesauce cake for dessert"

"I swear I couldn’t eat another bite," Beth said, planting her hands on her stomach as if she was about to explode

Sam scooted back his chair and pantomimed her action "Me neither"

"In fact, I should probably be heading hoot to their feet as if they couldn’t leave fast enough

"Are you sure?" Owen asked Saht applesauce cake was your favorite"

"He’s sure," Rocco said "I’ll save some for you later," he assured his friend

"Thank you for the lovelyfor her purse on her way to the door

"Yes, thank you," Sam added

They reached the front door and in a coh it at the same time Beth looked up at Sam and smiled; he chuckled and held the door open for her Neither one of theer than necessary

Beth cliht behind her in his monster truck

They pulled up to the intersection at the saht next to her

She looked over at hilanced at her If she’d had the nerve she would havehe’d been as reen and Beth drove into the intersection

And that hen she saw the vehicle co toward her and knew there was no way to avoid a collision

No way to escape

Chapter 4

Sam

Sam watched in horror as the car raced directly toward Beth’s vehicle Instinctively, he shouted out a warning, as if that would do any good, but it was too late

The sound of the i like a toy top Several cars screeched to a stop, looking to avoid any further collisions Sa toward Beth’s car, his heart pounding so hard it felt as if it was about to explode inside his chest Thankfully, he wasn’t a h hi what he would find