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“There you two are Dad wanted to know the moment you arrived”

“Well,” I said “Here we are”

“Here you are” He glanced over at Cass in a way that was hardly friendly “Anyway, co for us”

“All of us?” I asked

Sam shook his head “He’s not upset with her Only you Definitely you”

Sht, make yourself at home I’ll handle the Dad situation”

“Good luck”

I leaned in and gave her a s effect onto make this real Well, kind of real

But it wasn’t the ti patriarch in the other rooether ordlessly headed down the hallway, eventually reaching the open doors of the study We both entered Sure enough, Dad was at his desk, his hands flat on the surface I knew the old h to understand this meant he wasn’t happy at all

“Shut the door” I did “Have a seat” We did

Once Saaze fall onto rown man, but damned if he wasn’t able to le look He let the silence linger for several moments—a normal tactic for him to make sure I knehen I was in trouble

Finally, he spoke “Is there a reason you left one of the ht without saying a word? Do you have any idea how that looked?”

I waited acareless “I know But I could tell Cass was feeling overwhelive her a chance to have so room”

Dad narrowed his eyes “I see Now, this would be bad enough nor questions about the behavior ofyou to take over for et lost a all the holiday cheer?”

“I haven’t forgotten, of course”

“Sure didn’t act like it last night” Saested he wanted to make sure Dad kneas on his side in this e his words

“You haven’t forgotten Good to hear But obviously you weren’t thinking too ht’ve considered that I hadCassidy to our friends—which you didn’t even do, by the way”