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"Hey, Todd Good to see you," Dave says, and I try to analyze his voice Does he like this guy? Clearly this is so awhile, and I knoithout a doubt it's the guy that called her the other night when I was here I don't hear any overt affection for the dude, but he seems happy to see him

I take a h, I suppose Nothing spectacular, ina pink button-down, khaki shorts, and a pair of deck shoes

"So, hey," Dave says as he realizes introductions need to beback at me "Hawkethis is Todd Walters And Toddthis is--"

"Hawke Therrien," Todd says with a bea smile He pushes past Vale, rounds Dave's recliner, and advances on e, as a matter of fact"

His hand grabs mine and he pumps enthusiastically With a nod over his shoulder at Vale, he says, "Knew you'd been traded here and Vale told ues"

"Juniora da about me or my career

"My bad," he says sheepishly as he pulls his hand away "Yeah, Vale said you used to be friends way back when"

"She said that, did she?" I look back to Vale and her eyes are noered as she fastidiously studies the carpet Refusing to look atinformation from her boyfriend

Interesting

"Yeah, Vale and I go way back," I say as I continue to look at her, watching her shoulders tense A quick glance at Dave and I see hi back a smirk It's in this moment that I realize Dave isn't all that fond of Todd and is relishing this interplay

"Well, aslate," Vale says as she steps past her father to stand beside Todd His arm slips around her waist and he pulls her in close, still bealy, her e clear She doesn't want her boyfriend to know about ether I bet she's afraid it will scare hiuy off at the knees

"Yeah, I need to get going," I say as fish my keys out of ht?"

Even as Dave is nodding, Vale butts in "What's toht?"

"A party I'irlfriends Figured Dave would enjoy being around soain"

"Oh," Vale says quietly, and Dave adds, "Can't wait"

I watch as Vale gives hter It's a s about it one way or the other, but I'rab my beer bottles off the table Her brow is lined with confusion, and I can see she never expected Dave to get sucked back in with me

Orout on his own so soon after having a virus injected into his brain

"Would you like to come?" I ask Vale, and her head snaps up "I mean, I didn't invite any of the staff but you and Iwe're old friends, right?"

She just stares at me Eyes all w

ide and unblinking

"Both of you," I clarify, giving Todd a quick nod "It will be fun"

"We'd love it," Todd exclaims

But I don't look back at him I continue to look at Vale and wait for her answer

Finally, she gives a little sigh of affirmation and says in a quiet voice, "Sure We'll be there"