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After twenty-five perfect years, Vivi Ann had fallen

Dallas came up beside Vivi Ann on the porch

She turned to hi, but even with all of that, she felt relieved, too “Noaround now I’ll tell Luke and it will be done”

“Are you crazy? Winona is probably driving to his house now”

“No, she won’t We’re sisters”

He touched her face “You’re wrong”

She kissed hio talk to Luke and be back in no tiht?”

“I’ll be here,” he said, but he didn’t look happy about it

Winona went ho it, she poured a second, and then a third

It was over

Finally

Vivi Ann would lose Luke now for sure

Unless she lied The thought of that sank through Winona, eous, beloved sister could do what she’d always done: sone to would seehter down the aisle, hand her off to Luke, who’d take her hand and put his ring on her finger and swear to love her forever No one would ever know the truth

She got to her feet and paced the rooh, but the tequila she’d drunk ht What should she do now? She was so caught up in all of it that she barely heard the doorbell, and then Luke walked into the living room

Winona froze The sight of hiht, honest smile, was more than she could bear She felt tears burn her eyes She wanted him like she wanted air, and yet even nohat Vivi Ann had done, she couldn’t reach out They were sisters, after all