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Glad I could ainst the brick wall

This alley…

This is where I kissed Katelyn for the first ti for the first time

So special

Ao?

What if I can truly change? What if I can truly be Luke Johnson, not only in name but in all ways?

What if I can truly leave everything else behind?

That was the idea froer Constant danger

Danger I cannot inflict on Katelyn Not on anyone, but especially not her after what she’s been through

Fuck

I could really use a drink right now

I slidemy cotton shirt Jed is busy with his bone I pet him on his head, which is soft despite the fact that he needs a bath badly

“Good boy That’s a good boy”

I’d take him home, but my place doesn’t allow pets

“You and I have so in cos here Of course, that’s where our similarities end You deserve a nice home with people who love you, a full belly, and a warm bed I don’t deserve any of that”

Jed chews on his bone, oblivious to the fact that life could be so much better for him

In that

39

Katelyn

“You were right,” Alicia says to eous”

“Yeah, but he’s acting a little weird”

“He’s just busy Look around This place is hopping tonight”

Alicia’s not wrong But Luke isn’t hustling to and from his tables He seems to have disappeared

I clear my throat “Could you excuse me a moment? I need to use the ladies’ room”

“Of course” Alicia takes a sip of her water

I rise and head toward the back where the restrooe I open the door and peek in AA server and busboy on break “Oops Sorry Wrong door” I close it

Where did Luke go?

Then I reh the kitchen to get there I holdaround, all busy, so no one seems to notice me

Nicely done, Katelyn

I step into the alley and—

“Luke There you are”

He’s sitting on the ground petting a stray dog—a cute furry guy with short light hair—when he looks up “What are you doing out here?”

“Looking for you”

He stands quickly “Did you need so? I put the orders in The soht about now”

“I just wanted to talk to you You seem a little…off”