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“You’re avoiding me because of Loyal,” he accused

Her stomach pitched as she shot him a frown “I am not”

“Are, too Last night you barely even talked to me”

She hadn’t talked to hi out with hi his brother, not hi on”

The shake of his head said he didn’t buy it “Listen, I know it’s been hard adding Honor into the mix, and I—”

“I love Honor,” she insisted “I a but thrilled you found your special someone”

“I know, and she loves you now, too” They shared a brief grin over that “The thing is, I know it’s been different, and I just don’t hat happened between you and Loyal to et in the way of our friendship”

Heaviness settled in her chest She did her best to hold her srasp his forearood I promise”

And for her to keep that proet over Loyal and move on

“Okay” Asher pulled her in for a quick, tight hug, then backed toward the plastic sheeting covering the opening between the two shops “You’re sure about tonight?”

“I’m sure” She forced a smile “Lots to do”

“You knohere we are if you change your mind”

“Have fun”

Honor called goodbye through the opening as they left, and everything got quiet once they locked up She filled her last hour cleaning the coffee area, vacuus in her front displays to keep fro an eye out for Loyal

Six o’clock came