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And tiht now

“It’s not you, Whit I promise It’s how I’ve chosen to handle the custody situation They simply worry that this—” I indicated the space between us “They worry that it’s going to blow up in my face They’re old-fashioned But seriously, it has absolutely nothing to do with you personally Mom and Dad have always liked you, and they think the world of Meg” Spontaneously, I leaned over and kissed her cheek Actually, it was loss

Fuck

I pulled back as if she had shoved htly, and we looked at each other in that endless e had a habit of doing

“Nommy! Nommy!” Katie chanted from the backseat I looked toward the front door ofthere, her arms crossed over her chest

Crap How long had she been standing there?

Whitney took a deep breath “I need to get used to the in-laws, right?”

“Right,” I agreed, feeling jangled and jittery after ? Then, without warning, the ie of her wet, naked body filled my head

“You co hts

Christ, I had to get it together I shouldn’t be thinking like that withwith me?

We got out of the truck Whitney unbuckled Katie from the car seat and carried her toward the house Katie wrapped her tiny arms around Whitney’s neck I noticed thatin the way Katie clung to her new stepmom And she didn’t seem too happy about it

I had a feeling I was going to get an earful the next time I saw her alone

“Good , Gail There’s a little monkey here to see you” Whitney kissed Katie’s cheek, and Katie did the sa that? It seeenuinely attached to one another

Bythe same conclusion “Well, you’d better hand her over Monkeys need their breakfast” Whitney tried to pass Katie to her grand it

“No No!” she yelled, burrowing her face into Whitney’s neck

Whitney turned to me with concern “What should I do?”

My mom patted Katie on the back “Don't you want some of Nommy’s cinnamon rolls? I made them just for you”