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“Good to see you, babe,” said Josh before leaning in and planting a kiss right on my lips “Felt like forever”

“Same, um, babe” I was nervous, sure, but the kiss had been unexpectedly arousing Not a good omen for our “hands off” plan

“Pleasure to irl who’s captured ruff as I’d expect fro to know you all”

“Same here,” said Sam The words were kind, but there was serious skepticism in his voice He flicked his blue eyes over me as if I were some kind of spy

It made me a touch nervous—we’d only justfishy about as going on I’d have to be very cool about it Too bad ht’ve been annoyed about the place, but I felt like the same aard kid in thrift store clothes—and not the cool kind—that I’d been back in the day

“Mark,” said Walter, placing his hand on Dad’s shoulder “You look like a man who could use a beer”

“You’re right about that”

“We’ve got whatever you want on tap—I’d recoot in from Austria”

“You got Bud?”

“We do”

“I’ll take Bud”

Walter sruffness, he sure didn’t show it He gave Dad onethe nearest waiter’s attention and ordering a round of drinks

“Bring theet to know the Martens”

The waiter was off with a nod, and Walter was quick to lead us into the dining roorand as the rest of the club Walter said his hellos to nearly everyone as we passed the deal at a place already full of big deals Soon ere seated at a large round table situated before a bigthat overlooked the grounds A pianist in the far corner filled the room with a soft sonata

Once ere seated, Walter clasped his hands together “So, I’ll get right to it—I’m sure you’re all as surprised about the news as I was”

The drinks were brought and Dad didn’t waste any tiirl’s love life for years, and now all of a sudden she’s serious with a h school Crazy”

“Crazy is right,” said Salass