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Once ere inside my home, I turned to the kids, “Why don't you head out back and play? Let daddy and Mr Taylor talk for a bit, okay?”

They were more than happy to do that, as I often had theot home, so it was an unexpected and very welcome break in routine for them

As soon as ere alone, I motioned for Dan to join me at the kitchen table

“Would you like a beer? Some wine?” I offered

“No thanks,” he said

He was still calaveparanoid and that this little discussion was going to go well after all

I thought briefly about grabbing a beer, but opted against it and sat down across fro for him to speak He stared down at his hands which were also folded on the table in front of hiave him all the time he needed

“Listen,” he said at last, “I'ht I overreacted I adladly pay for any and all daes”

“No worries,” I said “My car will be fine I'hborhood kids went a little wild They've covered everything It's not a problem”

Dan looked up at me “I appreciate that,” he said “You could have turned ht to call the cops and file a report I wouldn't have blamed you”

I shrugged “And you had every right to kick my ass, so I think we're even”

There was a hint of a sht to act like that,” he said “No matter how upset I ahter”

“And I promise you, I love her dearly,” I said “I'd never hurt her Not in a ht that I couldn't help but be drawn to, Dan E woman”

“But put yourself in ine if this was Zoey”

I sighed “And while I can make no promises for how I'd react, I'd like to think I'd let heras I knew she was safe and he was being good to her,” I said “I'd let her date whoever she wants But I know, soet in the way