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"She didn’t used to be like that," I protest quickly "She was a cool kid Into fashion design, and ponies"

"Yeah, well that’s not the kind of riding she does any at the long-haired guy while the blonde smartly slips away

I turn back, still confused by Brit’s venolad a public shon has been avoided "Thanks," I tell Lacey "For stepping in back there"

"I’ve always got your back" Lacey pro-wouys are waiting in line

I laugh, relieved This at least I’ve got practice in "Lead the way, lady"

We fill our plates with food, and then head on over to the bar Lacey works her usualin close, and like ic, a space opens up for us in the packed scrum

"You didn’t tellout the scene "But I guess you were otherwise occupied"

"Uh huh," Ifor Emerson’s familiar powerful build

"Earth to Juliet!" Lacey snaps her fingers I turn back "Coet the bartender’s attention, this place is swae of themakes my skin prickle, and suddenly, I feel a wash of nervous exhilaration flood through ht away, but I know he’s here, somewhere I can’t explain it, but it’s like my body has a special radar, just for him I would know him in a hurricane, in a snow-storm, if I was deaf and blind My body knows him by heart

Slowly, I turn around

There he is, over on the other side of theatblack jeans, and a faded grey T-shirt that hugs every irl beside hi away, but his eyes don’t leave ain, to just the look in his eyes, and the sound of aze

"Boom, victory" Lacey lines up a row of tequila shots She hasn’t noticedout the liarab the first shot glass I down it in one, gagging at the sharp bitterness, then grab a wedge of liirl!" Lacey cheers "What should we cheer to?"

I look back for Emerson, but he’s nowhere to be seen