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"I arin "Your party is already waiting I’ve given you a private area so the two of you can talk"

"You know all about this?"

"Oh yes, Beth and I worked together to set it up The menu is already set, but Alicia will be by to take your drink order"

Meghan led her to the back of the restaurant It was early enough so that the dinner crowd had yet to arrive The booths were high, so she didn’t see him until she was at the table

Peter

Unable to hold back her shock, Sunshine gasped Her hand automatically flew to her heart, as if to protect it fronition

To his credit, Peter looked equally stunned His eyes widened, and all he see at her in coood way

Iht of her was as unwelco

"Sunshine," he whispered after a moment, as if to confirm that it was really her

"Peter" She slid into the booth for the sis would continue to hold her upright

For what seemed an inter was looking at each other Peter had changed He was nothing like she re,down and getting in his eyes, Sunshine had offered to cut it for him and he’d let her It was an intimate task, and afterward they’d made love Now he dressed in expensive business suits, his hair was tri, she noticed His hands His beautiful hands calloused and often nicked and cut were perfectly manicured now He was a man of the world It seemed the artist in him had completely vanished

Sunshine liked to think there hadn’t been nearly as e Her thick hair, salt-and-pepper-colored now, hung freely down theskirts and loose blouses she had while in art school

"You arranged this?" he asked suspiciously

"No I’m afraid this is the work of my niece"

He huffed "Ellie’s child, no doubt This trick is worthy of her mother Guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree"

Sunshine was teather her thoughts She couldn’t see for evidence of the man she once knew

The waitress sauntered up to the table "What can I get you two lovebirds to drink?"

Peter’s head snapped toward the young woman "We aren’t lovebirds, and I’ll have a scotch"

Alicia blinked at his waspish tone

"Make it a double No ice"

She made a note of it and turned to Sunshine "And for you?"

Sunshine ad woman made a hasty retreat, and Sunshine didn’t bla her voice low and calm

"Definitely necessary We are no lovebirds"

"We once were, if you re happy raveyard of their past ht to each other

"That was a long ti across the table, Sunshine placed her hand on his "Please don’t leave"