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Jake held up the swath of green fabric and twirled it around on his finger like a Hula-Hoop

“Very funny” Claire yanked it froet there before the lunch rush The last thing I need is Mary Beth Schneider to tell the whole town you and I bought condoms at the Stop and Sip”

She slipped into her underwear and shimmied her dress back on By the time she was finished, Jake had already buttoned his shirt and zipped his pants

She hated to see that get put away

“You really should at least coame”

Claire considered the situation Funny, s-distance relationship An idea of life with hihts Hot sex Cute kids Growing old together

But reality bitch-slapped the fantasy He’d be gone soon One night only That was all her heart could take

“No”

“Damn”

Quiet enveloped the rooht line Claire couldn’t help herself; she lifted herself onto her tiptoes and softly kissed him

“Damn”

“Will you stop saying that!” Claire slugged hirabbed her purse “Co”

She pushed back all thoughts of a future with Jake as they hurried down the stairs Eagerness propelled her down the stairs She couldn’t wait to buy the condoms and take him home What she wanted to do would take time and privacy

“Come down for a bite before round two?”

Claire started Her whole body tensed at the nasal tone—the sahtmares