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“Yes, Annabelle and I havesweetly “So what do you do, Annabelle? Are you still in school?” I asked innocently She shot me a look

“Yes, I’h school,” she replied calmly

“Really, that’s fascinating! God, high school was so long ago I can’t even relared at hed

“Yes, I heard you were a bit of a player in high school Luke told ed, have they? Are you ever going to settle down?”

“What’s the point in settling doo a swig of my beer Belle slammed a fork down on the table, her jaw clenched

“Excuseout of the room

Sally shook her head, her brow furrowed “Sorry about her, you kno it is—teenage horized

I kneas, all right Soet any easier

Chapter Ten

“So,” Luke began as Mrs Gale slipped into her seat We all sat around the table, waiting for Luke to continue I could feel Belle’s eyes boring into me from where she sat across the table I pretended not to notice, leaning in as though Luke’s next words had e of ht As you know, little Thomas will be here in a couple of months, and ant all of you to be involved in his life” Luke reach for Sally’s hand and then turned his attention to me “Jack I’ve known you for years You’re my oldest friend, and as hard as you play and as reat father We would be honored if you would be Thoodfather”

Even though I had

been expecting it, actually hearing those words was a whole other story A lump for so emotional? I didn’t want kids,happening to both Luke and Sally were sliht now Or ever

“Wow I don’t knohat to say,” I sta for my water

I searched for the right words and realized they weren’t there If I was going to decline, noas not the time—not with all these people around, and especially not with Belle staring at ht with her in the room

“Thanks guys, this is a huge deal It h to ask this of me” And it did mean a lot It made me realize exactly how much Luke loved me