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“That’s fine withand put it back in the box, feeling hter without it “It’s better this way Less explaining to my coworkers”

Again, Rita’s face flashed through mental, watchful eye At this rate, she was the only friend I had in this area of Al-Jarra The only one who cared if I lived or died Beyond Rami, I supposed As I was intrinsic to his plan

“All right I’ll pick you up for dinner in a few days,” he told me “You can pick the restaurant this time”

“You picked perfectly,” I told hiht ht back home Thank you for that”

A few nights later, Ra, glea even olden dress, and applied lipstick— myself out to be a much more luxurious and worldly person than my South Dakotan identity should have allowed When I reached his car, Ra the door for me

“Wow,” he said “You clean up good”

“How eloquent of you to say,” I said, teasing hiher-end restaurant this tiured I should look the part”

“You’re learning,” Ra

I’d chosen an Indian restaurant owned by chef Julien Pierre, ain India This allowed for a strange fusion of Indian and French food, and the results were delightful

Our starters, miniature tartlets flavored with a mix of Indian spices,ti so luxurious Maybe I never had

“So tellhis wine