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I studied his face, concern filling me up inside He probably didn’t know it, but sometimes his eyes looked so sad "How are you?"

His shoulders rose and fell "It’s just nice to see your face again It’s been a while, buddy Plus, you kind of just vanished after…" His words faded off Everyone’s words always faded off when they were about to

"I’m back" I nodded and poured us four more shots "Emma and I are here to stay We just needed a bit of air, that’s all"

"You still driving that piece of shit car?" he asked

"I definitely a the other day"

His ’s okay, but "

"I’ll check it out for you," he offered

I shrugged "It’s okay I can prettydeal"

"It will be a big deal inter co"

"Don’t worry, Tanner Michael Chase, it will be all right"

A smirk found his lips "You know I hate when you use hed "That’s exactly why I do it"

"Well, we shouldinto the rooh

"I’led "Or vodka, whiskey, ruhed and the three of us held the shot glasses in the air Tanner cleared his throat "To old friends s We missed you and Emma, Liz, and we are so damn happy to have you back May the next few months be easy on you, and may you remember that you’re never alone"

With one swift movement, ned the shots

"So, randoe all the locks in the place just for a new start Do you know anyone who can do that?"

"Definitely, Sauy I fired so I could hire you? The socially aard kid at the café? His dad has a shop that Sam works at part-time for that kind of stuff"