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"I’rin

"Oh, there’s s back in and comes up with a pair of silver cufflinks, shaped like cats And finally, rolled up at the bottolasses and a backwards baseball cap I grin from ear to ear

"Do you have a cat, Sawyer?" Eric peers over, an investigative look on his face

"No, but he really wants one," I answer before Sawyer has a chance

Eric looks skeptical, like he suspects this is some kind of inside joke he shouldn’t approve of, but he sits back without saying anything else

"Sawyer, you didn’t have to bring anything for e Bonnie has just placed in her lap

"It’s just soht have the an arain

I am beyond curious as htly fearful that itto poke fun at soh

"Oh, how lovely!"up what looks like a very old copy of 1, 2, 3 to the Zoo by Eric Carle, followed by an equally old-looking copy of Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary "They’re signed!" My mom is elated over any book, but Sawyer hit it out of the park with these two "I’m surprised Everly admitted her namesake to you She never lets anyone call her Beverly"

"And I’ to start," I affirm, "but I’ll admit my name is adorable"

Sawyer’s pretty adorable too, I decide

Thirty-Five

"You throw a New Year’s Eve party every year?"

I’ him shave I’m not sure how I’ve never watched hi He’s just gotten out of the shower, a torapped around his waist, baring his chest,My poor eyes can’t decide what to focus on

"Yes It’s our annual party for the co out with you for New Year’s Eve?" I ask, swingingfeet My toes are painted in Roers too

Sawyer rinses the razor under the tap and then brings it back to his face and I aht mesmerized I clear my throat and shift on the marble counter

"The party is optional, Everly No one is required to ‘hang out’ withwhoever they want, enjoy the free food and alcohol, or they can do whatever they want for the evening" He glances atof the razor "You okay there, Boots?"

"No, I’ the sink, devoid of a single splash, and then back to me He tilts his head in question and " I wave a hand at his face before fanninghot"

He pauses, a towel in his hand, and shakes his head "I really a out of yourcrea his hands on either side ofhing as he tugs at my robe’s belt and it falls open

"No way," I protest, pushing hi you to a party when you’re horny There’s no telling what you’ll do"