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“And he’s incredibly sweet,” Maureen said, watching him closely “How can he possibly be a criminal?” She said that quietly, so that he wouldn’t overhear her

“I have no fucking idea,” I murmured

“Maybe he’s just involved in, like, illegal gan,” Erin supplied helpfully, also keeping her voice down “I erous I wouldn’t let him within fifty miles of my kids if I believed for an instant that he was”

“I know,” I said, watching as Dmitri scooped up Brody and put him on his shoulders, then chased after Brennan as he and Brody etting married in a few months”

Both sisters turned to stare at me “No!” Erin exclaimed “Just like Charlie?”

“Kind of” I sighed and sunk my chin onto my hands, elbows propped on my knees

“But he’s obviously crazy about you,” Maureen said, wide eyed

“I know he cares aboutto where both ofhi play structure

“Of course you can,” Maureen told me “It’s called adoption And there are other alternatives too – surrogates, egg donors…”

“Yeah, I know,” I said quietly “But the fact is, he’s engaged to a wo her in June”

“Then he has no business leading you on,” Erin said fiercely

“He’s not He was honest with ned on for, I know this is just a short-ter as it lasts”

“Ja, why did you tell everyone about hi quiet about it”

“I spent eight years pretending Charlie was just a friend, Mo, pretending I wasn’t totally in love with hi a lie I’ to live my life as an open book And if people don’t like the choices I’h shit”

“That’s ad to rip both you and the hot felon to shreds,” Erin said with a sigh

Ded over to us with a kid in each ar, “Diaper alert Both of them, I think”

Erin leapt up and grabbed the diaper bag, then scooped up Brody while Maureen took hold of Brennan and held hith “I’ll help,” she said, and both sisters rushed off toward the restrooms

Dht beside“Hi,” he said softly