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Billy across the roo, then peers our way suddenly, his eyes searching He finds Nadine, then gives a meek little wave at her

Nadine returns the wave, though her face looks a bit pained “Ms work out” She crosses her arms, then turns her eyes ontobetween you Hiht, boy”

I’m stunned a bit by her sudden shift in topic “Ma’am?”

“You heard the words I just said” She nods at y You also need to do your own part in fixin’ things with him”

I clear , I—”

“I won’t hear it” She arches her eyebrows “I adore havin’ you in o takin’ it all away, now”

I close oin’ on that you don’t—”

“It’s Nadine” She givesme, then smiles “Friends and family call me Nadine, sweetheart You know that Now eat a cherry tart and put a smile on that cute face a’ yours, hon” Then, with a wink and a s into les a some other Spruce locals, like this is her own party

I peer down at my hands

One of Billy’s famous cherry tarts from his T&S Shoppe sits on my palm, decorative, flaky, and sweet

I take a bite from it

Heaven

Nadinesome key information I can tell just from the way she spoke to me now If she knew all that transpired between me and Jimmy, I think she would’ve picked a few other words to say

I finish the tart by the time I make it back to the house, alone The tart doesn’t sit well in h its halls and exhibits, as nize, but I don’t bring any attention toto keep in my own head

I don’t see Jimmy anywhere

Not that I’ for him Or worried about him

Or that the boy is actually the only thing I’ve been thinking about since we left the house

Ugh, of course he’s all I’ about

That is, until I turn a corner in the art gallery hall and, after spending a second to adrader (seriously, the talent a), I find myself face-to-face with Anthony Myers hine in his hand

It’s the first time I’ve seen him since the day I was fired