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As Brett hurriedly slipped into her socks and shoes, Karen stood up, too "But you just got here," she said stiffly

"I know, I’etic sood-bye No kisses No assurances that he’d be back soon He simply whisked Brett into the house, then out of the house, then into the Jeep

He hadn’t felt anger like this in years His entire body treers were so stiff it was a nition The teize to Brett was so overpowering that he fuet the hell away froret

Before he could put the car in drive, Brett reached for the door handle "I forgot an," she said flatly

He reached for his own door "I’ll get it"

"No" The response ift, hard "I’ll do it You wait here"

AJ watched as she ran back to the house, her black hair whipping around her head like a storm cloud Christ She was pissed So was he He couldn’t believe his ht up Tamara like that Merrily, deliberately, as if she’d wanted nothing e between hi to let that stand No way in hell But he needed to take Brett hoet on his frickin’ knees to beg her forgiveness

Brett was gone for o after her, the front door swung open and she reappeared Her cheeks were flushed, and she had her cardigan draped over one arer seat without a word AJ stepped on the gas and drove aithout sparing even a peek in the rearview mirror

"Brett--" he started

"Not now" She turned toward the"I just…I need a h hiaze "I’m so sorry about that Tamara bullshit," he said softly "My mom ran into her at the supermarket last month and decided to play matchmaker I wasn’t interested then, and I’lance "Then why did you take her number?"

He faltered

"You didn’t use it, so your mother took matters into her own hands, but you did take it, didn’t you?"

He let out a breath Nodded