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“It is—”

“It isto a portly, gray-bearded, yet baldingas he came up to us

“Séan Dorgan MacQuillan,” I said, recognizing the old er woht your as dead”

“I thought yours was, too,” he shot back, and I chuckled, nodding, though I did not saymy hand to where Calliope sat

“Calliope, this is Bullnecked Dorgan He and my father were friends,” I introduced them

“Not good enough friends, apparently, if he can throw a birthday party and not send us an invite Mr MacQuillan, I’m hurt” Calliope pouted, and I looked at his wife

The more I looked at her, the e to be married to anyone

“Mrs MacQuillan, happy birthday If we had knoould have brought you a gift… Actually, Ethan, what do you say we pay for everyone’sin like this”

Lie any harder, ht as I looked at her

“Oh no, I could not have that” Dorgan laughed “Your embarrassment cannotWe sent an invite weeks ago to the first—”

Calliope’s eyes narrowed at him, and because he was acquainted with our family, he chose his words even more carefully “We sent

an invite but soas a birthday otten lost in the mix”

“That aze to him “So, there is no need for embarrassment Enjoy your breakfast My wife simply wished for pancakes”

“Hopefully, ill all ain,” Calliope stated, her attention now on our coffee that had arrived With that, Mr MacQuillan left our table to go back to their guests

It took a h the hter returned, I was sure they atching us both carefully