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"E I was about to go off on her boyfriend for lecturing uy I chose to spend time with Pepper continued "I know you like Shaw I’ve seen you with him He’sdifferent You’re different when you’re around hiaze off Reece’s hard-eyed stare He looked athis friend over What did they want from me? I couldn’t be like Pepper I couldn’t just have a boyfriend and fall in love

I stared levelly at Pepper "I love you, girl, but you gotta stop this lanced at Reece and then back at her "It’s not going to work"

She gave a single nod, but she still had that worried look "Okay"

Okay Good I nodded, but the sense of relief I wanted didn’t co inside me only yawned deeper "Thanks" I waved at thelanced at her clock "I thought ere going to walk to class together"

"No, I’ in early to work on htened "That’s right That’s co up When is it?"

"Next Friday"

Pepper glanced at Reece "It’s a big university art show that Em’s in" She looked back at me "Are you ready for it?"

"I think so" My eted Professor Martinelli made it clear she expected to see it in the exhibit It was hard enough putting anything I created on display, but that painting? It would feel like I was baring myself up there on that wall Like I was on display But Martinelli had rade would suffer if I left it out

"What tio"

"Yeah I’d like to see your work" Reece nodded "Maybe I can take the night off"

"Uuys don’t have to co back at ia and I went last year--"

"I know," I cut in "It’s just not a big deal You saw that last year"

"I thought it eso outside the Java Hut"