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Xander looks at his watch “I don’t want to rush you, but we need to go if we’re going to ht”

“I’er

“So, I don’t get a hug? I see how it is,” Jace jokes

“Since when do you not cringe like you’re being boiled alive when so you?”

“I’ve never cringed,” he defends I tilt e,” he acquiesces I open edyou”

“Too late now, buddy,” I say, wrapping my arms around him

He laughs and hugs o and I step back “Thank you and you—” I turn to Nova “—for taking care of the one You didn’t have to do that”

“We wanted to help” Nova suys have fun You deserve this”

“Thanks” I hug her, then Rae “I guess we’re out of here, then?” I ask Xander

He nods “Yeah, we have to go”

“All right, let’s getthen” Cade claps his ha

nds together “Come on, come on” He corrals us toward the stairs

We return our gowns and then head out to the parking lot together Jace and Nova make plans to meet up with everyone at a restaurant for dinner after Cade and Rae drop the two of us off at the house, since we need to change our clothes and get our car

I hug oodbye “Have a safe trip,” she tells me “I love you”

I watch her and James head off toward their car