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Saoing to be dating so much, he certainly didn’t want to hear about it

"I’ session," she adroup of ht"

So she hadn’t been out on a date after all Sao slid comfortably back into place Actually, it felt as if a hundred-pound sack of cement had been lifted from his shoulders

"Do you remember Jazmine?" Beth asked him "She was one of the nurses’ aides at the rehab center?"

"Vaguely"

"She was one of my favorites I admire her so ether in her eagerness to explain "She’s a singlehard to ood news this week"

"Oh?"

"After coh several interviews, she’s been accepted by Habitat for Hu a home for herself and her children A real home with her oo hands She didn’t want a handout, she was looking for a hand up and she got it When she toldwith excitement and joy"

"I know someone who did that," Sam told her

"Who?"

"Nichole’s sister Rocco and Cassie’s husband are good friends It’s a great progra Jaz to volunteer to help and I said I would"

Beth looked happy and excited for her friend, and when she smiled he found it nearly impossible not to smile back

"I’ve never had an active social life before, Saood of you to volunteer to help Jaz me out to eat after church on Sunday and then Monday Nichole and I are getting together I have friends, h"--she paused to inhale a deep breath--"I have to tell you, I don’t knohat Mo at a construction site"

Beth continued to chatter away like athis Doug guy she’d mentioned a week earlier Sam bit down on his back teeth so hard he was convinced he’d cracked a molar

"And then there’s ht it was chaperoning the one dance You mean there’s more?"

"He asked me out for next week, too"

Sam’s jaas clenched so hard he feared a thin-line fracture

"He wanted to take me to …"

Saret

Beth stopped, and when Sa

"You’re right, you are busy these days," hehis hands in his pockets A week All it’d taken was one week: seven row under her feet

"Everything all right, Sa concerned

Another word about theto lose it

"If you don’t mind, I’d rather not discuss the other ested I get ht

Beth lowered her hands on her thighs and released a long, slow sigh "There’s no need to be jealous"