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"Chloe," I say, my voice hoarse

She turns around, ready to smile at whoever just said her name, but when she sees it’s

People are swar

"Oh baby, no, no," I’ "I’m here I’ve been here Why did you think that?"

"Victor?" she asks, pulling back "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, baby, I’ not to

Upstairs, at Chloe’s request a PR person maneuvers us to a bench in the VIP section, which looks out over the rest of the party Chloe’s chewing Nicorette, carefully blotting her lipstick, and gold and taupe brow color has been applied to the outer corners of her eyes and I keep grabbing her hand, clutching it, and soreat, great" Pause "Not so great" Another pause "I think I need sos is it?" she asks "We’re not being bad are we?"

"No, no, no, not that, I just-" I sain to rub her hand "I just lad you’re here and I’ down again

"Hey, shhh, what’s bringing this on?" she asks

I can’t talk My head slips fro out

"Victor? Is everything okay?" she asks softly "What’s going on?"

I take in a giant breath, then sob again

"Victor, what’s wrong?" I hear her ask "Do you need anymy head, unable to speak "Are you in trouble?" she asks "Victor?" "No, no, baby, no," I say, wipingme"

"It’s just, it’s just, this is h

"Wardrobe dressed ht"

"You look nice," she says, relaxing a little "You look tired but you look nice" She pauses, then adds sweetly, "I’ve missed you"

"Oh baby"

"I know I shouldn’t but I do"

"Hey, hey"

"I left about a dozen es on your uess you never