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“It’s got, like, a rubber band on it; it goes on your wrist,” he said “Amanda says they’re the best kind ”

“Thanks,” she said again, not daring to look at hiot the point

“Okay, picture tierprints from you, Tyler,” he said

“Dad!” Mia shrieked, blushing

Lexi moved aardly into place beside Zach He put an ares fro

Flash Click

The photographs went on and on, until finally Zach said, “No os We’re outta here ”

As they started for the door, Lexi pulled away from Zach She stepped into the entryhere she’d left a brown shopping bag by the table Reaching inside, she pulled up a sreen plastic container that held a potted purple petunia

“This is for you,” Lexi said to Jude, feeling her face grow hot It was such a little gift—she’d found it on the half-price counter at the local nursery It was probably totally the wrong thing, but it was all Lexi could afford “I know you don’t really need anything, but I looked … and you don’t have any petunias, so I thought … anyway, thanks for the dress ”

Jude smiled “Thank you, Lexi ”

“Come on, Lexster,” Mia said from the doorway

Lexi walked to the door with Jude, and then followed Mia out to the Mustang

“One o’clock curfew,” Jude yelled from the doorway

Zach didn’t see, which was parked out front He opened Lexi’s door but didn’t wait for her to get in Instead, he walked around to the driver’s side

When Mia and Tyler were settled in the backseat, Lexi took her place beside Zach He started up the car and cranked on the music