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“He told me,” I say

Dad nods “So any ti up The stories got h he grew up in a circus and the other half thought he’d been a child Broadway star It was hilarious”

“I did that because I never wanted to use it as an excuse,” Bennet growls “And I don’t want to now, either”

“It’s not an excuse if it’s the truth,” Mom says softly

A momentary silence passes and some of the tension seems to dissipate around the table with it

I don’t dare let ly just yet, but I can’t deny the feeling, whispering froes

This could work We

Bennet looks at rin, and then turns back to etting too close to anyone In the SEALs, we had our brothers, and I consider you a true friend, Rick But there’s always been this… I don’t know, this hole inside of et too close to anyone just in case they were taken away from me”

He breathes treh finding it difficult to talk about this

“But I don’t feel any of those reservations with Rory It’s the exact opposite I feelin , the only thing I can do… even if I also know it’s wrong, because of et that But it’s how I feel”

“Rick, you know Bennet,” Moood hter You know he’ll always do the best for her”

“So you’re already convinced, then,” Dad mutters

“Yes,” Mom says, a matter of fact “I am”

“What about you, Lorelei?” Dad faces ap bother you?”

“No,” I say fiercely, with a quiver of fury “I love how much older andto deal with i”

Dad nods and sits back, as though conte my words He runs his free hand over the top of his head, chewing the inside of his cheek

“I know that look, Rick,” Mo note in her voice