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“I figured that out when you didn’t look up” His buddy glanced around the restaurant, which was finally starting to quiet down again “What are you doing here?”

“Came to see Viv”

“Aren’t you supposed to be at work or so?”

Zeke couldn

’t fight his grin any longer “I quit my job”

To his credit, John only sputtered a little “What?”

“I quitto buy that bookstore like I always told you”

“Shit, Zeke That’sI mean, I’m happy for you, but”

Zeke laughed and ran a hand over his head “Yeah, you sound like it”

“No, I really am” John shifted fro Karim?”

“I’m not sure” Zeke peered toward the back where the woo “That’s why I need to talk with Viv”

“You think she’d go soestured around them “This is her place, Zeke She can’t just leave it”

The frustration in John’s voice drew Zeke’s attention back to hi how stiffly John held himself, how his hands were clenched into fists John’s protests were both unwelcome and unexpected

“Why’re you having such a proble his voice

“I don’t knohat you’re talking about”