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Quite suddenly, Mina let out a perplexed, “Why aren’t you guys together?”

I asked myself that question at least ten ti person, short stuff”

And then she repeated, “And you’re here looking after her”

What did she want froreater honor than to stand behind a wouard her back If she’d let me, I’d remain by her side forever and always”

‘Til death do us part

A coently, “I’lad she has you, Vik”

And because I wasn’t always good with talking about ht in “What you got there?”

She uncovered the loaf “Ada’s walnut banana bread”

A sound of pure delight escapedmy time and serve it up, wifey”

Mina looked at me a moment, and I didn’t knohat she saw in my face, but it was probably raced her lips Her hand curled aroundme a quick squeeze as she passed ut

11

Nastasia

I knocked for the third tiain, no one answered, but when I checked the side of the house, both of their cars were in the driveway I could have usedfor a baby, and I didn’t want to be trauht of ic bean into Mina’s belly

If they weren’t here and their cars hadn’t moved, there was only one other place they could be

Sasha’s

Did I want to take the short hike over to ardless of how broody his ass had been lately, I did love hiive him a little shit

I was kind of giddy over the fact that I’d slept the night before Actually slept

It was the second night Vik slept over The first night, I was adht, I wasn’t so fearful It was as though I’d been expecting hi he would be there calnore the decoht desperately for a place in my psyche