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"Are you being sarcastic?"

"No" Pause "You figure it out" I sigh "Do you even really care?" Pause "If there’s anything you need" He trails off

"Don’t you trustti to myself "I’ll be in touch"

"Goodbye"

"Goodbye"

4

I meet Damien for drinks at the Independent, not far from the club he and I are supposed to open a ar and nursing a Stoli Kafya, which personally I find disgusting He’s wearing a Gucci tie I want to round

"Did you see this?" Da up onto a stool

"What?" I ask

He slides a copy of today’s New York Post across the bar, open to "Page Six" Gossip about the women Victor Johnson has been involved with since Chloe Byrnes’ unfortunate death in a Paris hotel room Peta Wilson A Spice Girl Alyssa Milano Garcelle Beauvais Carmen Electra Another Spice Girl

"Forbetween the two of us, not much else

I relax, order a Coke, which causes Daressively

"I guess you knohy I’hs, shaking his head

I pause, confused "So you do know?"

"I forgive you entirely," he says, acting casual "Come on, you know that"

"I just want out, ot school"

"How is law school?" Daht? You’re really doing this?"

"Yeah" I laugh "I am" I sip my Coke "It’s a lot of work but"

He studies ," I finally answer

"That’s great," Damien says

"Is it?" I ask seriously "Iulp, but I’ about human happiness," he ad his vodka "Whoa"

"Is everything going to be cool?" I ask "I’s "It’ll be cool Japanese investors Things ork out"

I s my appreciation But I’m still very cool about the situation, so I move on to other topics "How’s Lauren?" I ask

"Ooh-ouch," Da"

Dahtly on the shoulder "I know,around"