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Bea softens and says, “When are you not hungry?” She turns in my arms and the heat in her eyes matches mine

“For you? Always”

“Well, I need to sort et breakfast because you stole dessert”

I atteainstthe way she has to contain her squeal

“Not even a taste?” I ask, re her of before We would share dessert each time ent out It didn’t matter if it was a milkshake at

the diner or a piece of pie she brought froht suht

“Not if you want more, Tank” Beatrice is serious If I want irl, I have to put allher back

3

Bea

I hear the rumble as Tank pulls up toThe racing stripe down the middle and the custom paint job makes his eyes pop, and I do my best to not dream about the summer and how he loved to talk about his car I chuckle because at first I thought he was bragging about his car like it was his cock, but everything Tank did was just bigger and better I bounce over to theand peek out between the lace curtains, watching hiet out of his car My whole body succu about the drives ould take to the lake and how he’d rev the engine,my core twitch with anticipated need Back then I admired the way he handled the manual transmission of the car as ht

I’ hard under his spell and we haven’t even reconnected fully I’ abysmally in the short a ht, but I’m skeptical and still hurt that he left me so easily once before What’s to say Tank wouldn’t leave ain?

After our buggy ride, I left him to rejoin my family I didn’t tell thelances and I know they saw Tank kiss me My cheeks could have been twin space heaters, the way I flushed I knottedif I suffocated myself My parents, however—they had a ton of questions once they sent the aunts off and it was just us at the table nibbling on pulance, like she could see the brand he al my skin Dad is convinced old habits are hard to break and he tried to point out that joining theresponsibility We’re both young

Dad is the only one hoo to battle, he’s been sitting in his reclinerleftovers while patting his gently rounded belly He re to pounce It’s rare he takes a day off I’en-filled house and I can’t blame hiers, chanting “Teaed the

I’room and watch Dad turn to look at me His kind eyes say more than words

“You going to get that, Sweet Bea?” He prepares to get up and send Tank away if I ask