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“Yes, because Olive is so much better than Lyle”

“I kind of like Lyle,” she demurs

“More than you like Alexander?”

“Lyle was safe,” she al her head

I s thickly because she al here in this kitchen since dinner, wondering what she was doing Waiting for her to coht I’d lostsave for to pour and drink my whisky as I’d contehtmare

Maybe Alexander asks for too much

“Do you regret taking Lyle for a coffee?” I ask carefully “To your hotel room?”

From the periphery of my vision, I see her shake her head

If she doesn’t regret the night then she can’t regret the rest, I decide But I need to be sht’s introspection? Sliding open another drawer, or three, I find the silverware and then a napkin as shea fork for a sandwich But she’ll see, I think as I begin to plate up

“Come on” As I reach for her hand, Holland slides fro the floor with a quiet thump

“I’ry”

“I’ll help you finish it if you like Though I think you’ll probably jab ood it is”

“Modest, much?”

“Modesty never did anyone any good But I can’t take the credit, really It’s Dougal’s recipe All I did was assemble it”