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“I’m okay,” Cecilia replied hoarsely

“Thank God Come on, let’s move this party inside”

I fell into step behind the roomen, Aht was enough to make it appear like Cecilia had just been welcomed wholeheartedly back into the fold—but I knew better These older woh hell and lived to talk about it—didn’t have the time or the inclination for petty bullshit Cecilia hadn’t been worried about her reception with them

“You did good,” Poet said, striding along beside ait so he could keep up While I’d never say it, the oldlike he used to

“What?” I asked, watching Cecilia move further away

“Goin’ to get her,” he said jerking his head toward the women “Bad deal Glad you were there”

“Me, too,” I replied

“I bet,” he said with a sly grin

I shook my head

“You’ve got a priht,” he said seriously “Don’t fuck it up, boyo”

“You just gonna leave us standing outside?” Eli asked, jogging up to us “I see how it is”

“Shit,” I otten thatthe old crew and watching out for Cecilia “Poet, this is Eli” I looked up to see Forrest and Lu walking up behind him and introduced them, too

“Welcorateful you took care of our girl”

“Glad ere in the right place at the right time,” Forrest replied

I spent the next twentyhello to people I’d known forever, but hadn’t seen in years It ild to be in the sarown up with and their partners Hell, even Tommy had settled dohich I’d assumed would never happen Okay, settled doasn’t the correct ter his wife, co as she bent over to pick so, she shot up straight, and froave him a titty-twister in retaliation

My gaze auto with her aunt Callie and A over Olive like they’d never seen a baby before, and the proud look on Cecilia’s face made me smile

“Know that look,” Grease said as he came up next to me at the bar “Think I’ve worn it myself once—or four times”