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“Huh?” Alex pops back into reality as he surveys our surroundings Nu with several mics “Oh I’m sorry Of course”

There’s a ridiculous a crowd, and he blushes when he sees Charlene and my mom behind me, flanked by an irritated Sidney Buck is behind the line of reporters, wearing an expression similar to Sid's Alex keeps a protective ar as he clouys mill around Now that I know them by name, and most of them have seen ht for me to be in here

I cover my eyes with my hands “Maybe I should meet you at the bar”

I motion with my elbows in what I’m sure approximates an uncoordinated version of “The Chicken Dance” With my hands still in front of my face, I sidestep in the direction of the door only to slam into the wall

Alex takes me by the shoulders and turns me around “You can open your eyes now, Violet”

I spread h them

He takes my hands in his “Promise me you’ll be at the bar?”

He looks so worried My silence has been as hard on him as it’s been on me, but I feel so nation ere just friends, after all

I nod, excite it out in my stomach “I promise”

He ducks down, his lips close to mine “I probably should’ve asked before I kissed you the first time, eh? Can I steal one more? Please?”

At my nod, he touches his lips to ue this time