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Giggles, interrupted by the occasional high-pitched squeal, erupted from the other side of the hospital door Curious, Jake peeked through the rectangularinto his father’s recovery room and smiled

Absolute Security’s longtime secretary, Velma, sat on his dad’s bed, her hand clamped over her mouth, while the old man waved a spoonful of leoofy teenagers for the past six months, ever since Vel married It wasn’t until after the old man finally declared his love for her that Velma admitted there was no fiancé Ever since, Jake had been cat

ching the out early forAnd sweet Not that he’d ever say that to them

Pushing open the door, Jake sot the car out front to take you home”

Velma jumped frohs A s it made her dimple seem miles deep lit up her face “Hey there, Jake”

The oldWhen Vel Turned out to be a respiratory infection The doctors had wanted to keep hiht, but, par for the course, the old nored their advice

“Damn, Velma, I told you not to call him Now I have to deal with a son who thinks he’s my boss”

Jake shook his head “Trust me, no one wants that job”

Velar, I’ back to the office and I don’t want to see you there for at least a week”

“A week,” his father sputtered “That place will go to pot without me for a week”

Velma raised a penciled eyebrow at him The old man shut his trap

“Love you, baby,” she hollered over her shoulder and strode out the door

His father clis “Tellto wear so I don’t have to flash my ass to the world”

Ten minutes later they were in Jake’s SUV, headed for his dad’s house Traffic was a bitch They were stuck behind a er seat to eyeball Jake

“What?”