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I scratched my chin “Can’t say I did”

She rubbed the back of her neck, looking at her phone “Mom’s been after me to explore opportunities in my trade locally But it’s not like there’s a whole lot ofon in Pennsylvania, but then Lena showedthis indieup steam not far from here Apparently, two rather successful hteenon So, on a whim, I started to do some research, and I contacted a couple of production coht Studios over the summer”

I felt as if she were building up to soious “And? Don’t leave rinned at her as she nervously chewed her lip

“It sounds like there are some potential opportunities there for me I have a phone call with the Head of the Makeup Depart deal “So we’ll see”

What I heard in all this was Whitney wasto ed, and I lifted her to her feet, swinging her around “I’m so proud of you, Whit You’ll knock them off their feet, and they’ll be lucky to have you” I kissed her soundly before putting her back on her feet “I had no idea you still wanted to do that work You’ve never mentioned it”

She shrugged again, taking et Katie, as now singing at the top of her lungs “I don’t exactly want to work in Adarateful as I aood at makeup I built a real career around it I e my reaction

I squeezed her hand “As long as it keeps you here, I’ a deep breath We were just outside Katie’s roo her stuffed animals into the air I took both of Whitney’s hands and looked down at her “Because we need you, both of us do I can’t iine my life without you in it” Deep breath “Because I love you, Whitney I’ve never stopped”

Whitney’s eyes widened In shock? In joy? I couldn’t tell Shit Maybe it was shock Or horror? Shit Shit Shit

“Kyle—” she started to say, but then Katie was between us, trying to cli Our eye contact broke, and I bent down to lift Katie into my arms The littleher closer She hugged both of us, babbling in her incomprehensible way We were perfect The three of us This was family

So why didn’t Whitney say I love you back?

“Hey, Mo into my parents’ house after work

Mo with your dad in the garden They’ve been planting flowers all afternoon I’m sorry, but she’s completely filthy” Mom looked behind me “No Whitney today?”