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The rooues, her partners, uests, and a few of her key elass in celebration They all loved her

And not one of them really knew her

There it was Edna had been unable to come, and Grant hadnt even returned her phone call The latest tabloid shed read claih the news shouldnt bother Tully, it did It ht Hoas it that shed reached this age alone? Without a special person hom she could share her life?

A waiter passed by her and she tapped his shoulder, snagging a second glass of cha the Tallulah Hart s around the ballroo in a sea of acquaintances

She downed the chane and went in search of another drink The day of beauty with her daughter was everything Kate had hoped it would be For the first tiht Marah even listened to Kates opinions on things After theyd chosen their gowns—a one-shouldered black silk gown for Kate and a beautiful pink chiffon strapless one for Marah—they checked into the Gene Juarez day spa, where they got manicures and pedicures, haircuts, and their makeup done

Now they were in Marahs bedroom in the suite at the Olympic Crowded into the bathroo themselves in the mirror

Kate knew shed never forget the sight of thehter with the exquisite face, s so broadly her eyes tilted up, with her skinny arm around Kates bare shoulder

"We totally rock," Marah said

Kate smiled "Totally "

Marah kissed her cheek irabbed her beaded evening bag from the bed on her way to the door "Here I co room

"Marah," she heard hieous "

Kate followed her daughter into the room She knew she wasnt as shapely as shed once been, or quite as pretty, but in this dress, with Johnnys diamond-heart necklace at her throat, she felt beautiful, and when she saw the way her husband smiled, she felt sexy, too

"Wow," he said, co close, he kissed her "You look hot, Mrs Ryan "

"You, too, Mr Ryan "

Laughing, the three of them left the room and went down to the ballroo