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Every night, since we agreed to see where this was going, we’ve stayed at et out of the house

“If that’s what you want”

“I do” She leans up on her toes and feathers her lips acrossback, she says, “It’s Ava’s birthday We always go out and celebrate at Blackie’s”

“Well, then, count us in”

“I kneas going to like you,” Ava chirps happily, giving Abby a high five, then a hug and kiss on the cheek

“See ya, an holds out his hand for rip it, thankful I have at least two of Abby’s friends on my side

Nathan stands back froe between me and his friends The scowl isn’t quite as pronounced, but it’s still there Abby walks up to hi as his arms wrap around her waist I keep my eyes on his hands to make sure they stay where they are supposed to I’ for her or not, but I don’t think he does It still sparks my ire that he’s seen her naked body and has touched her intimately

His eyes stay on me, but when she murmurs somet

hing in his ear, he pulls back and looks down at her, his brow furrowing After a few quiet words that only they can hear, his eyes flicker toback to hers, and he nods She smiles at him, then walks over toher to my side

“You ready?”

“Yep,” she answers

We wave good-bye one last ti her back hoinally planned, I decide to make a pit stop I pass by the exit that leads to my place and continue south on the interstate

“Where are we going?” Abby asks, her neck craning as she watches the exit sign go by

I pick up her hand and kiss the back of it, before placing it on h “You’ll see”

“A surprise, huh? I like surprises” She laughs, the unencu to my insides