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“Right,” she said aardly, before nodding to herself “I’ll be out for theyou need?”

Saaze remained fixed on her lips for several full seconds before he raised it to meet her eyes “For now,” he said “Thanks”

He rose from his seat and took his plates to the sink

“Oh, don’t Seriously, you don’t need to do that,” Erin protested

“I’ a couple of dishes”

“Well, if you’re sure you don’ther lower lip between her teeth

“Hey, if Iit, okay?”

She gave that little nod again “I’ into toith Riley but I’ll be back by lunchtime”

“Whatever I can see to myself if you’re not back on time”

“But—”

She looked as if she was about to protest again but Sam raised a hand “One of your promises on your website is that you create a hoe At ho the same here, within limits,” he finished with a smile

“All right, I believe you” She smiled in return, but he noticed it didn’t quite reach her eyes