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Sighing, I sluht I’d known it already, but so more optimistic But for better or worse, Carrie and I shared ed in the pain and huh—to always tell each other the truth, no matter how hard

“Hey, it’s not a bad thing,” she said, nudging uy’s a serious prospect anyway Doesn’t sees out with aout china patterns in your head, were you?”

“No, but I wouldn’tlaid”

“So let’s hit a club in Ellensburg this weekend,” she said “Two can play this ga or two I swear, his future ill thank you”

I groaned

“One time”

Carrie burst out laughing “Nothing ever dies in this town, babe You’re a cougar on the prowl and we all know it! Why just the other day I warned a young ht him”

Pushing off the swing I stood up, pointing ly

“It never would’ve happened if it wasn’t for you and Margarita”

“I realize this You don’t have to keep thanking me”

The front door opened, and my dad looked out

“Do you knohere your ry She should be fixing dinner by now”

Carrie and I shared a look

“I’ll get it going soon, Dad,” I told him “But Mom’s not with us anymore, remember?”

Confusion crossed his face, followed by embarrassment as my heart clenched

“Sorry, I wasn’t thinking”

“I’ll get some chicken started—how does that sound?”

He didn’t answer, turning and shuffling back through the door

“You’re going to have to do soer,” Carrie said softly “It’s not safe for him to be here alone at the house”

“Nothing’s happened,” I pointed out “He gets confused, but it’s not like he sets fires or so”

She just stared at retted the zero-bullshit clause in our friendship

“I’ “Are you staying for dinner?”

“No, but I’ll hang around for a while longer,” she said “Darren doesn’t get off work for another hour”

“You guys can eat with us if you like It’s just grilled chicken and rice, but we’ve got plenty”