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On the personal front, a fail She’d chosen the wrong friend, the wrong guy

Next ti to do the opposite thing

Nodding all the while, Honor stared at Brogan Why were his eyelashes so long? Why had God seen fit to give hi, chestnut hair? Hmm? Anyone? Bueller?

They’d been here for twenty-seven , in other words Did Dana knoas ht now, in the saan was looking at her, his face concerned "Honor, are we okay?" he asked gently, and her face burned with heat

"Yes! Yes, we’re fine It’s fine I’ve practically forgotten about it" She forced a laugh,Not her area of expertise Jessica, as taking an order at a nearby table, shot her a look

"It’s just that we’ve been friends for so long," he said Daenuine It probably was Brogan was not a faker, either

"Look, Brogan," she said, keeping her voice low "I was surprised, I overreacted and I’d love it if we could just drop the subject Okay?"

He nodded "Of course It’s justI hate thinking that I led you on," he said "I always thought we felt the sae s of her drink "No, we did We do Um, I care for you As a friend When I asked you if you wanted to get hly six years thinking "I’lad You et you guys anything else?" Bless her, Jessica was here with a pitcher of water

"We’re good, I think," he said "Do you want anotherpretty soon," Honor added

Brogan’s face lit up "Right! Your date We’ll take the check, then, Jess"

Thank you, baby Jesus! This inter home to watch Top Ten Tu it on the hallway floor On second thought, maybe she would call Pru and see if she could crash She and Abby could watch the tuether

Jess went off, and Honor forced a san Three lass "I’lad we can still be friends," he said "And I hope you and Dana can be patch things up, too"

Two and a half uys talked a little Told me you cut your hair It looks really nice, by the way Kind of shocking, but really nice"

"Thanks"

He shifted in his chair "Uonna join the volunteer fire departreat," she said Twosoan asked

"Excuse me? Oh, yes Yes, I ae of Droogthe floor with Wet Ones popped into her head "He’s, uh, European Very funny Cute accent" One! One terrible lie! Tospecial?" Brogan asked

"Possibly It’s a little early to tell Maybe" She smiled, hopefully not like a wolverine A bead of sweat trickled down her back, irritating as a housefly

"That’s good I’lad to hear it" He took a breath, then another "Honor, I have to tell you so, because I don’t want you to hear it fronant"

Honor was fairly sure her expression didn’t flicker Her eyes, thoughsoht "Pregnant?"

"Yeah We just found out It was a surprise, but we’re really, really happy"

He was She could see it in his ridiculous-colored eyes

He was going to be a father

Dana never wanted kids She’d one" And when a patron would ask if she wanted to hold a baby, Dana would pass, then later say, "Why would I want to hold that little petri dish, right? And the sht ti was, yes She could She’d love to wipe soainst her cheek, breathe in the smell of a sweet little head, hold a tiny hand in hers

"Are you okay?" Brogan asked

"Yes," she said faintly Oh, crap There were tears in her eyes She looked down, then forced a sreat Babies arethey’re souys!"

"Honor? Hey, sorry to interrupt" It was Jessica, angels bless her The wo a raise "Your date’s here"

Honor blinked "He is?"

"Yeah" Jessica gazed down at her, her expression calht Sheher a rope

Brogan looked at her expectantly

He was going to be a dad She could picture it so clearly--tall, handso at the tiny face onder

She took a deep breath "I have to go Brogan, congratulations on theon the baby" Her voice wobbled "I mean it Best wishes" Tears wrapped around her throat and squeezed

"Thanks, On" Brogan stood up If he hugged her, she would lose it

He hugged her Her heart folded in on itself like a dying bug as she breathed in his faot to her

"So," Brogan said, releasing her "Where is this guy? Can I say hi?"

Oh, fungus Honor stood up, grabbed her coat "We’re et out of here, she was going to cry In public And wouldn’t that suck

"No, he came in," Jessica said "He’s at the bar"

He was? They all looked, Honor half expecting to see Droog Dragul But Jess had neverwas actually here, it would be the universe’s biggest coincidence Nope, no Droog

Brogan took out his wallet (and yes, by allthe theht Football, and he picked up "Hey How’s it going?" he said, turning slightly away

"Who are you talking about?" Honor whispered to Jess

"What do you mean?"

"I don’t have a date"