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Jimmy and I both stare back at him, wordless ourselves

Then, as if co out of a weird drea’s other son, aren’t you?”

Jimmy’s eyes narrow darkly

Nadine’s “other” son Yeah, I heard it, too And Malcolm knows damned ho Jimmy is

I let go of Jio of each other—and I face Malcol so abruptly”

Malcolm studies him for exactly two and a half seconds before he turns back to me “So are we ready to continue, then? There is still dessert to be had, and my father—”

“It’s his mama,” Jimmy blurts out suddenly His voice carries a far less polite edge than ency”

Malcolency?”

“The fao?”

I nod at Jietic wince “I’o Maybe we can take a rain check on that dessert? I’ive Jimmy a quick look “My ma needs me”

“Okay, then” Malcolm’s words are cold and dry as a picked-over T-bone “Give your ards”

Ji,” out before he’s usheringstill on his bad foot, da on the engine

We’re out of the parking lot and on the road in seconds

Neither of us speak, the huh one of the hich ets on the highway, and then we’re hightailing it to Spruce

“Watch your speed,” I choke out

Jias a little bit

Silence persists

“Don’t wanna, uet a ticket,” I explain

More silence, whirring wind, and engine purring

Then: “Jimmy …”

“I don’t know,” he says at once

I peer cautiously at hi on with us, Jimmy?”

“I said I don’t know”

“Was that another kiss just to … ers of my left hand anxiously on the center console “Or was it so else?”

Ji wheel two-handed