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Now, he followed me

One hand rested in his pants pocket, and the other held out a small red velvet box “From your papa”

I stared at the box for a long second before taking it fros Papa always said I wore my heart on my sleeve The stones were fake He knew I never wore the real thing, not after watching Blood Diamond when I was a preteen

This wasn’t the first ti important to me The difference was, this ti suspicion, away any longer

“I hope you didn’t sprain anything,” I said

Ivan castlook

“It’s a strenuous job digging through Papa’s backup gift drawer”

With a sigh, he ran a hand through his blond hair “He cares, Mila”

“He sure has an interesting way of showing it lately”

“He is very busy,” Ivan remarked “You know this”

I made a noncommittal noise My papa must be busier than the president to explain why he hadn’t shown his face for the past three months He’d missed the last two holidays, and now, my twentieth birthday

We celebrated my birthday at the same table in the same five-star restaurant without fail every year Papa would order a steak I’d smile at Enrique, the owner and chef who’d taken our orders personally since I was a child, and change it to so his cholesterol I’d fret; he’d argue But he’d eventually give in

Tonight, I sat there for two hours with Ivan and my unblemished reflection in the porcelain plate That is, until an anniversary party at the next table exploded everywhere, shatteringup a waitress at the bar when I escaped the restaurant and ran the five miles h

ome