Page 99 (1/2)

“Tell us about your visit to Deep Creek,” Joanne says

Ricky holds up a finger “I’”

While he goes back to cooking, I tell theress, but I refrain fro him into the conversation unless their relationship, which is still in an early stage, lasts beyond the treat my hopes up too soon My , and then there’s her illness Like her ex-boyfriend Martin, h

Too soon, Alex checks his watch “I’m afraid we have to leave you We’re about to have dinner, and we don’t want your lunch to get cold”

More accurately, he wants toIt’s one of his security rules

“It was good to see you,” Joanne says, unfolding her leg froain soon”

“I’d like that,” I say “I want to know everything about your plans for the wedding”

After saying our goodbyes, Alex ends the call

He regards , “I’m sorry you can’t be there for Joanne I know you would’ve liked to help with the wedding arrangements”

I sit with a stiff back, waiting for the real blow

His tone is regretful “It pains me to say this, Katyusha, but we , not if they tie the knot soon”

I turn my face to look at hi to be there to helppreparations, but why can’t we attend her wedding?”

“If they decide to have a ceremony”

“Hypothetically speaking then”

He blows out a sigh “I’ day if you ask them to”

I stare at hi to ask Joanne and Ricky to postpone one of the most important days of their lives to accommodate me How selfish do you think I am?”

A mo, “Suit yourself, but there will be nountil the end of January”

I jump to my feet “The end of January? That’s more than a month away”

He regards me with an expressionless face “I’m aware of the timeline”

“And e get to the end of January, will it become the end of February?”

Aas it takes”