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“You didn’t overreact and it’s understandable hat you’ve been through,” he said as he pressed his lips against o check on the steaks Do you need me to finish the salad?”

“No, I can finish it”

Ian sht, and he wasme fall deeper for him I finished the salad and set it outside on the table I cut up a fresh loaf of bread that Charles had , boiled some redskin potatoes, seasoned them, and set them on the table while Ian set down the plates and silverware He brought the bottle of wine outside and poured solass He handed it to me as I sat down

“Now remember, pretend” He winked

I took a sip and s?” he asked as he held up his glass

“No pretending I truly like it” I srilled was prepared to perfection I cut into it and took a bite He stared at ?” I asked

“I’ve sort of gotten used to having a house guest It’s going to be weird around here when you ether, suests alht, Ian You won’t uests, and I will miss you, Rory Whether you want to believe it or not, I willyou around here”

“Your dad will be happy when I’u to let that happen I wasn’t about to ruin our perfect dinner

“Adalynn invited me to her birthday party Saturday” I s to ask you if you wanted to go with me”

“Why didn’t you tell me that she’s your ex-wife?” I blurted out

He set down his fork, wiped his lass and slowly brought it to his lips, staring at me the whole time he drank his wine

“She told you about that, eh?”

“Yes And I couldn’t help but wonder why you didn’t tell hed as he took a bite of his steak “It was a mistake and it only lasted two days We were drunk out of our ht People make mistakes We did and we took care of it Adalynn has been a long-ti but that I never have and I never will Trust e will never be in the cards for e is overrated Who wants to be tied down like that for the rest of your life?”

Noas starting to get sos and, so far, I didn’t like what I was hearing “Can I ask you soirlfriends have you had? Not ones that you just bang and kick out I irlfriend who you take to dinner, asped as I looked at him and he smiled in amusement “Seriously, Ian”

“Seriously, Rory I don’t do that kind of stuff I’ood for one thing and that’s to fk The flowers, ro you down It’ll lead you down a road that eventually splits and then you’re forced with the decision of which way to go”