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“Fantastic,” she rabbed a wad of paper towels “Just a ”

Blotting her pants, she walked to the door Whoever it was probably wouldn’t hang around outside the closed door until she changed, so she’d be welco like she’d slobbered all over herself

“Oh well” She swung the door open “Hel—oh, Copper” The ache that had formed in her chest at his earlier words in the diner intensified, throbbing with renewed vigor Man, those words slayed her Sure, she’d known the truth of the, but without verbal confir between them one day Now it seemed an impossible dream

“Hey,” he said, hands in his pockets

Why, oh, why did he always have to look so damn sexy? Life’s cruel little joke A black Nirvana T-shirt stretched to capacity across his broad chest Both tattooed arms seeainst hiht before

“What are you doing here?” On any other day, she’d welco him in the private space she shared with Beth was one of her favorite things But the day had been spoiled Now, all she wanted was to be alone, so she stood in the doorway blocking Copper’s entrance Of course, solitude was impossible with a four-year-old and only three hours before she had to be at her second job, but she’d take what she could get Maybe fifteen ood enough

Speak of the devil…

The surprisingly strong pounding of little feet was followed by Beth poking her curly strawberry-blond head out the door in the space next to Shell’s hip “Copper!” She flung her little body straight at him

Vastly experienced with Beth’s exuberant greetings, Copper caught her as she flew at hihed just as loudly as she did Then he settled her on his hip like he was born for it Shell ground her back teeth together

“Can I come in?”

She hesitated Was she about to refuse him for the first time in, well, ever?

“Yes, Copper Come in! Coushed