Page 68 (1/2)

He got up off the bench, handed alley, returning with two bottles of beer and the lunch his chef had prepared for us He sat on the bench seat across fro an eye on the shore forso Any kind of clue as to what Jillian and Lucas had been doing out here

I played with the zipper of the insulated koozie wrapped around ? It’s about your dad”

Vance’s clear eyes turned stormy “What is it?”

“I’ized”

Hissip of his beer, rather than answer me

“Hey, look,” I said “It’s probably none of my business, and I know you said it’s complicated, but just hear ravity “You only get soyou can do to change that or buy it back”

His posture stiffened “I’m aware”

He was defensive, but I wasn’t going to let it deterto have more time with my dad I’m sure it’s the sa, confir is certain He could be gone toht You’ll spend the rest of your life wishing you’d had more time”

Vance’s chest lifted as he took in an enormous breath, but he couldn’t seem to find words

“Orhappens to you,” I continued “You told ive you Do you want to take that opportunity from him?”

“Emery, it’s not that simple”

“It could be” I leaned forward, bringing us closer “You just have to try”

“Are you finished?”

I had no idea if he meant with the conversation or my lunch, but I pretended it was the latter I nodded and stood, reaching for our plates that rested on the table between us, but he abruptly shot to his feet His hand went out, latching onme to halt

“I’m sorry” He stared at where he had hold of me, and his voice was o by, and now it’shard”

There was so , but I understood All the sha new and terrible, and he didn’t kno to deal with it