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My father couldn’t have looked ob smacked if he’d tried

Beside me, Russ shoots me an unmistakable smile A proud one Like he admires me And I realize, I adth I never knew I had or needed before

“She’s right,” Russ says a moment later He holds up a hand to stave me off “And before you tell ie I’ for you Not anyh forelse he means in that deceptively simple statement

My whole body tingles, from the tip of my head to my toes I feel so elated I could fly A smile starts to spread across my face, and I can’t stop it I don’t want to, either I feel the sa for this man Whatever it takes

Across the desk from us,a calculation in his head I lift ht back, defiant Let him think whatever he wants He doesn’t scare me anymore

For the first time in my entire life, my father looks away from erously I’m not sure what that means

I’m not sure I care anymore

Without another word, he rises and reaches for his coat

“John,” Russ starts to say beside me “Be reasonable”

“I a with barely suppressed fury “I a to leave thisTomorrow once everyone’s heads are clearer That is as est you take it You are both dismissed for now”

I’ht I can’t bring myself to worry about it, not now Not when every liy and adrenaline Not whenit