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“I could use a few pointers I’ll give you credit in the footnotes”

His hands slid to her backside “I’d be honored to appear in one of your footnotes”

She hesitated for a moment “You don’t think the paper is terrible? That I’ll ot over uht Your paper is good”

“Thank you” Julia pressed her cheek against his chest “It’s hard for me to be a student in the sa to catch up”

Gabriel’s fingers tangled in her hair

“I can work harder at being more supportive We aren’t in competition In fact, I’d like to co-author an article with you, someday”

Julia lifted her head “Really?”

“I think it would be good for us to create soether, out of our shared love of Dante And I’e of your convictions When you defend your paper at Oxford, I’ll be sitting in the front row thinking, ‘That’s irl’”

“It’s a drea it”

Chapter Five

The E on how relaxed and happy they appeared when they finally exited their bedroom, just before lunch

Gabriel’s brother, Scott, arrived that afternoon with his wife, Ta Julia’s father, Toirlfriend, Diane, sat down to an early dinner

Diane Steas an attractive African Ae dark eyes, and shoulder-length curls At forty, she was aler than her boyfriend She’d known hirove her entire life

As dessert was supposed to be served, Diane happened upon the E in the kitchen Gabriel had wired the house with a central sound system, and the strains of soft Latin jazz filled the air

The neere wrapped around one another, swaying softly to thein Julia’s ear She seemed embarrassed and turned away, but he chuckled and pulled her close, kissing her

Diane backed away, intending to return to the living roo hardwood creaked beneath her feet The Erinned

“Sohed, a loud and happy sound, while Julia sainst hi to otten how”

Gabriel ran his fingers through his hair, which was ?” He looked down at her

“The coffee is ready and the pie is cooling It won’t take a minute” Julia reluctantly stepped away from her husband, who surreptitiously patted her backside

At that moment, Rachel and Tammy joined the er brother Scott a month previous At five feet eleven inches, she was tall and curvaceous, with long strawberry blond hair and pale blue eyes

“What’s the holdup?” Rachel looked suspiciously at her brother, as if he were the sole cause of the delay