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Beth was doing the sa a life without the restraints and restrictions placed on her by her mother With this first taste of freedo into her own person Saed to witness the transformation

"I better head out or I’ll be late for choir practice," she said, reluctance showing in her eyes

Saer to see her leave, either

"Kissit difficult to release her He wove his fingers into her hair and angled his ood, and they were soon focused only on each other Sa this woave his heart away easily Never had been His only serious relationship, before Beth, had been with Trish and he’d been burned so badly he’d avoided falling in love ever since Everything was neith Beth Fresh and unspoiled Two months and already she’d woven her s hiain

They were interrupted by soarage, stood just outside the kitchen holding a tray of cut veggies

"Hate to interrupt you two lovebirds"

Beth blushed and hid her face against Sa poker or not?" Alex teased He set the vegetable tray down next to the chips Right away he noticed the cookies and helped hinored hi over his shoulder, he told his friend, "Make yourself comfortable and don’t eat all the cookies before everyone else arrives"

"You going to introducethe sides of his estured toward his coworker "This joker is Alex," he told Beth "Alex, Beth"

"Hi," she said, s

Sam steered her out of the kitchen and toward the front door, but not before he saw Alex reach for another cookie

"Nice to meet you, Beth," Alex called out after the," Saood," Alex shouted

"There better be soet back here," Sah as Sao He’d been playing poker with the guys for years but would have gladly given it up just then for another ten ht," she said as he held open the driver’s-side door for her

"You too"

She got inside the car "Enjoy the cookies"

"I have a feeling Alex will have scarfed down the entire tray while I’ to you I’ll be lucky if there are any left"

"I’ll bake you more," she promised

"I’ll let you"

Rocco and Charley arrived then, and still Saered His two friends saw theiving," he said

She looked up ide eyes "Are they disappointed you won’t be spending it with them?"

"They’re fine with it They’reyou"

"You told them about me?"

"Of course, babe" He’d filled in his ed hi grandchildren

"Maybe we can take a day and visit your parents before Christmas"

"I proh "I promised my parents Christmas, too"

Sam hid his disappoint to be late for choir practice," she said, but she didn’t "

"Bye, Sa she wouldn’t be as cautious as she should be "Drive carefully and text et to the church, okay?"

She nodded "Will do"