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I focus aze on Capone and he looks back at me with his soft, brown eyes My heart melts even further, and suddenly I could care less that I'ical scrubs to my name I have my best friend with

Gratitude for Flynn's help overwhelms me and I look up at him I hope he understands the sincerity in my voice when I say, "Thank you"

"It was nothing"

Reaching out, I grab a hold of his wrist His gaze flickers down briefly to where we are touching and then back toto me Capone is the most important part of my life and I don't knohat I would have done if you hadn't found him"

To prove he is in puppy heaven, Capone rolls over on his back and bares his belly to me I start to scratch hi a ers over the pads, checking for cuts He seeh in relief he hasn't been hurt

Flynn rocks backward fro over my shoulder to the burned-out house, he says, "I assu you oas in there?"

"Yeah Just clothes though Nothing much"

"What about money? Credit cards? ID?"

"Nope," I say but I don't elaborate further Juice had taken all of my money except for a small, secret stash I left at a friend's house, I've never had a credit card in e of eighteen, I changed al manner As far as the real world kneas still Anne Marie Cleeden As far as e and had been from the day I stepped foot into New York City

I've never needed an ID because every job I've worked has always been for cash under the table Never filed a tax return in e doesn't really exist on paper

"So where are you going to stay? Can I give you a lift somewhere?"

While I'ivenon anyone but myself So the lie falls easily from my lips "Sure I have a few friends I can crash with until I can get back onaround here"

Flynn gives ive you and Capone a ride"

I shoot him back an equally nice smile so he doesn't sense my lies "Oh, no need I'll just call one of them to pick me up"

Reaching into his pocket, Flynn pulls out his cell phone and hands it to ive them a call and I'll ith you"

When you've lived on your own the way I have, and when you've had to scrape, scrabble, and lie just to survive, I never even hesitate in carrying outthe phone, I punch in a fake number and hold it to my ear I wait a sufficient time for my "friend" to answer and then I carry on a conversation purely for Flynn's benefit

"Hey Lori! What's up, girl?"

I wait a few lance at Flynn and motion with my free hand that she's a chatterbox

"So listen I need a place to crash for a few nights Can you take Capone and ive his belly a pat "That's great I knew I could count on you I'm at Juice's house Okay see you in about twenty minutes"

I pretend to listen toup

Handing the phone back to Flynn, I say, "All taken care of Lori will coo ahead and head ho"

Flynn just holds the phone in his hand and watches me for a moment His perusal round "You're sure you don't want me to ith you?"

Shakingsood Capone and I will just hang here and wait for Lauren"

Soht you said her name was Lori"

Shrugging my shoulders, I don't miss a beat "It is Lauren's her full nah"

Flynn shoots rin that pulls his di on his phone and then holds it out to me I can see from the face of the phone that he's redialed the number I called and then pushed the speakerphone button so I could hear

The recording coh loud and clear "We're sorry but you have reached a nuer in service If you feel you have reached this recording in error, please hang up and try your call again"