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She steeled herself for this next part They’d had “the o Miht about having sex, she’d come to her beforehand so they could discuss it It had been the hardest conversation she’d ever had with Claire Until now

“Are you and Ada sex?”

“What? That’s none of your business!”

“No, it certainly issex then I need to make sure you know exactly how to protect yourself”

“Don’t worry, I’nant I’m not you”

Mimi’s heart ricocheted around her chest a couple of times before it eventually settled back in place “Wow I bet you’ve been waiting a long time to say that to me”

Claire’s eyes went shiny “I’m sorry, Mom I didn’t mean it that way”

“Okay, fair enough But I want you to think about what I’o to co yourself a huge disservice It’s true, I didn’t plan on getting pregnant at seventeen, but I did have choices And I made the best one possible for myself and for Zeke And for you Because I already loved you the instant I knew you were insideto want the best for you, Claire I just want you to be happy, but I don’t see how keeping your life a secret from the people who love you the most makes any kind of sense”

Claire seeot that steely look in them that Mimi knew all too well It was the Zeke Grant look of rebellion “Is that it? Can I go to my room now?”

“Sure I’ll call you when dinner is ready”

She watched as her daughter grabbed her backpack and headed off to her bedroom

Moht not have worded it this exact sa old vacuuht out of you

Miet, which was supposed to have been approved in April, was still being discussed Bruce and Larry were opposed to al Mimi and Gus were for, with Denise squarely in the ive And soon Or the town of Whispering Bay was going to enter the fiscal year in Septeet

Over the course of the two-hour ’s attention but each tiazes with hirate on her nerves Hadn’t he gotten any of her et that check to Fatback Bubba by tonight Theirto say they’d expect their money by five pm sharp

It was now a little after two and theon forever