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"You did?" I brighten, just a little

Garrett nods, releasing ine yet, either," he points out "You could catch her if you hurry"

I stare at hiet up "I’ll see you later?" I check, already heading to the door

"I’ll be around," he says with a wink

A sudden longing strikes through me I want to kiss him, wrap my arms around his neck and taste a moment of oblivion, safe in his arine start outside There’s no ti away I dash down the hallway and outside, bounding down the steps "Wait up!" I call, watching Juliet reverse down the drive

She pauses, waiting with the engine running as I catch up

"What’s wrong?" She leans out the

"I want to co my breath "To see Mom I mean, if that’s OK"

Juliet looks surprised "Are you sure? You don’t have to"

"No, I want to," I insist "I can’t believe I forgot about it, of course I’ll coree, but she always hated confrontation She takes a breath "OK You can co, but I’ll take what I can get I cliand turns onto thein the sun through the knot of trees

"So…" I search for a safe topic of conversation, soled family history and all the drama we don’t talk about "How’s Eood" Juliet shoots lance, as if to check that reat space, an old firehouse, but it’s been abandoned for years, so it’ll take a lot of work"

"That sounds a aard "I guess I don’t knohat it’s called, the type of restaurant"