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“Yes,” Mo steadily at Lina “There are always tio forward andup is all about Being strong and believing in yourself—even when you’re most afraid”

Lina bit her lip “Zach’s friends won’t like me I have a… bad reputation, and he’s so squeaky clean”

Moive you a ic pill that would make it all okay, but I think I’ve screwed up with you in always pretending that life was easy Sometimes it’s hard and unfair, and sometimes people are cruel and selfish” She reached out, took Lina’s hand in hers “But I know this: You’re a bright, beautiful girl and you have a wonderful youngwith you If you don’t go because you’re afraid, then you’ll be heading down a long, lonely road Believe ets inside, it ruins everything Don’t let that happen to you, baby”

Lina knew her ht She had never let fear run her life before, and this was no ti sain?”

Madelaine grinned “Oh, baby, that’s the easy part”

The doorbell rang at exactly 7:45 Madelaine jumped at the sound and dropped the teakettle on the burner It hit with a clang and slid sideways, sloshing water across the black steel surface She laughed at her own nervousness and wiped her hands on a dishrag Reaching for her ca to see Zachary in his rented tuxedo

But it was Angel who stood on her porch He earing a pair of baggy blue mechanic’s coveralls that were zipped all the way to his throat

She smiled at him “Come to fix my bathroom pipes, have you?”

The grin he gave her was so sexy, it took her breath away He whipped a huge bouquet of pink roses from behind his back

She bit back a sudden smile “For me?”

He shook his head “You’re not the only lady in my life, you know”

Madelaine loved hiht possible S, she backed up to let him come inside

He set the flowers on the table “Is she ready?”

Madelaine saw the nervousness in his eyes as he glanced toward Lina’s bedroom, and she had to stifle a smile “Almost Are you?”

He looked startled by the question, as if he thought he’d hidden his anxiety Then he caught her gaze and he sh to date?”