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She picked up her glass of wine, considered my statement, and a pleased set the subtext?”

“I do”

After practice concluded, ent back to our rooed for the launch party, and I was irritated when Royce called to check in I had limited time alone with Emery, and my brother’s call used nearly all of it By the time it was over, she was already dressed, and I had to rush to catch up

As much as she tried to hide it, I could tell Emery was unfamiliar and unco things, my only concern was the quality, never the price, and that always surprised her when I bought so

I knew she was enjoying this week because she’d toldthe ride home from the launch party she made the comment she expected the Mercedes to turn into a pumpkin at any moment

Like Cinderella, because none of this felt real to her I hoped that wasn’t true What we had felt real to me

Afterfar more affectionate in public than my father would have tolerated if he were here Thankfully, he wasn’t

That night, after we climbed into bed, rather than fool around, she wanted to talk She asked about e and law school If I’d passed my bar exa and how she’d becoh school

There were topics that neither of us wanted to touch We didn’t discuss Jillian or Wayne Lambert, or talk about our parents It was like she wanted the conversation to be happy and simple, and I was pleased—it was exactly hoanted it, too Plus, we couldn’t do anything about the Laht now, anyway

As it got later and ere both tired, it seeh to talk about it

“So, about last night”

“Yeah?” I asked

She pressed her lips together, like she wasn’t sure where she was going with it “You didn’t come”

“You noticed that, huh?”