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I nod again and hold the phone in my free hand I take another sip from the cup and set it down next to s with his body and his broad chest, chiseled even beneath the fabric of his shirt, and calls for my hand

I lay it flat over his heart, feeling the soft beat underneath Wondering hoe could feel so much so fast

“That’s all yours Just so you know” Rueger leans in and kissesovereach ofthe tip of my nose

I look down at my phone, and my stomach sinks I know Daddy has to leave, but I desperately wish he could stay We’ve just begun to discover e are to each other, and I don’t want to be alone here It feels like a ho and empty

“I have to go, irl You keep that phone with you CallI mean that Anytime you need me You don’t work until the day after toht here Invite Heather over if you like She’s alelcoirls behave Break the rules, and you’ll face the consequences, Babygirl”

“Yes, Daddy” I push out hs, pulling hio”

“I have to I wish I didn’t, but I do Now, don’t be bratty Let Daddy’s legs go, princess”

I grudgingly loosen rabbing his cooodbye

“Just get over here,” I sob into ave me is on the bed upstairs, surrounded by condoms and the pictures of the brunette I found in his office

“Jesus, get a hold of yourself, would you? I said I’m on my way I had to stop at the butcher shop I didn’t knoas a flippin’ eme about you”

“How far away are you?” I press at ertips, too upset to care about stupid Ricky right now “Tell me you’re close”

“Fivearound Delancy and Maple now”

I push the curtains aside and cranedown the street on her bike, but I can’t

“I’ll open the door, you can coht in I don’t knohat to do I can’t believe he’s got a wife”

My heart is in my throat