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Kirsty’s head was beginning to hurt Her office had officially beco circus

“I’ll think about it, okay?” she said “I need to get this finished first”

Her mum reached out and ran a hand over Kirsty’s hair The look of love and worry on her face almost undid Kirsty

“I’ll try—okay, Mum?” she said as her shoulders slumped

“That’s all I ask”

Her mother leaned over and kissed her cheek

“Coo see what the devil is up to now Who’s on Betty watch first?”

Shona put up her hand

“Good, we’re set”

They waved goodbye and went out through the shop, like a group of excited schoolgirls instead of hters

Kirsty hung her head in her hands She really didn’t want to go over the road and see what Lake had co suspicion that thebetter at it than she did

When it was silent she wandered through the shop and peeked out from behind the mannequins in theWhat she saw e and happy They filled the shop and spilled out into the street The servers froh the croith platters of canapés Folk held plastic chane flutes with bubbly in the wine, but it looked good She hadn’t seen soMcKay spent a h, she went to check it out

Things were going better than Lake had hoped The place was ju Even Rainne had a s up people’s purchases And although he’d had to keep Betty’s ratty old ar roo in it Holding court and getting tipsy on one glass of cheap plonk

“I bet you’re really pleased with yourself,” a voice said behind him

Lake would have known it was Kirsty without the words—the hair on the back of his neck tingled whenever she was around, like so system He turned slowly towards her and watched as her eyes darkened with an appreciation that made him feel cocky He wondered if she was even aware that she was licking her lips