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I grunt reement I’d do much more than bitch slap the bastards

“I’ve got to get to the shop”

I finish off my beer and toss the bottle in the trash I stop by Ella and kiss her forehead before walking away I’m at the kitchen doorhen her words stop me

“Why do you care about her so much, Luca?” Her tone isn’t accusatory, just curious

I don’t turn to face her, knowing she’ll see the pain and longing in ain,the cheap linoleu knew”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Jules

“CAN YOU DO MY HAIR in a French braid, Jules?” Aria asks as she sits in front of , wet hair

“I can,” I answer “If you’d like, I can do one on each side of your head Sort like pigtails, except they’ll be French braids”

Her legs kick out, causing her to bounce on the couch “Yes, please!”

I laugh at her thrilled shout As I part her hair into two sections, I watch over her shoulder as she brushes her doll’s hair with a little plastic brush She works hard at trying to do a braid, but it coain

“Want me to do your doll’s hair next?”

“Uh-huh”

Once I finish with both of their hair, she hops up, runs to the bathroom, then sprints back out a moment later

“It’s so cool!” she says excitedly “Will ?”