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"So, there’s this park," he says, his hand still stroking, his eyes still on everything but mine, his smile full of sy slide I think it needs a queen And…it’s been years since I’ve taken a girl on a picnic"

His hand stops His eyes drift to mine, and stop As ht now I’ and terrified at once, and when I finally look into his eyes, I feel row dark around the edges and are golden in theto be the porn star who threw stones at the ht as well letbecoe Like I said earlier…I’d like to date you," he says

"Good, because I didn’t eat a da on a pushy voice I can’t hold it, though, and I let h There’s also a little sadness that escapes with the sound It’s one of those desperate laughs, and Houston can tell He sweepsn of doubt in his lips, but it isn’t there He literally Knows Everything And he’s still kissing me

"You still think I’m hot?" I tease His hand slaps my ass hard at ers h to leave ainst ?" I tease, not really tease His hand--it’s on my bare ass

"I’ave me half an hour of alone tihts I’er than that," he says, pressing his forehead into ht, his smile enormous and embarrassed

"Okay," I say, mine closed too "But just so you know, that line I was holding at kissing…"

"Mback at ainst hirip -song voice, like an alar, so we know that whatever intense conversation we’re having needs to lighten up now that Leah’s here She probably thinks we’re still talking about Cee Cee But the longer I lie here, against hiive a shit about Cee Cee and what she can do to e is back, and she’s a little pissed you’ve h your shadow

Chapter 14

Houston

I let Paige leave her roos back…well, in place I’d like to blame the boots and the dress, but I’ve been with a feomen over the last year with boots and dresses and bodies alood as hers, and they’ve never h e looked down at me

It definitely wasn’t her boots and dress It’s just her

Myme scurry around the kitchen I look like a ht look like an asshole too She hasn’t directly asked what the story is--just if we had an okay talk, if Paige is okay I want to fill her in, e more--trust her more--if she knew just how ht in that weird place where Cee Cee is who she is and can call her dad and tell hiain and all he has to do is snap and Leah’sthe few strings he holds, never letting Cee Cee into our house again But I’ what’s hers

And I don’t want to think about any of that right now because boots and dresses and Paige’s ass inthink about!

"Where’s the damn picnic basket?" My voice comes out in a yell as I sla at me "What?"

"You What in the world has you so wound? And why do you need the picnic basket?" she asks, finally standing fro ht, and Leah’s been in bed for more than an hour