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“Wait… What is this?” That knot has hter and tighter

Remi presses on “I learned the hard way how quickly life can change We never kno much time we have, how much time we have with the people we love…”

I’?”

“I talked to Lillie, and she said it was okay forall our time with you”

He bends and puts his daughter dohispering in her ear She nods quickly then turns toto class now, but Daddy wants to talk to you some more You’d better take Buddy”

Kneeling, I pull her into a hug and take the puppy “Thanks, sweetie”

Re and his lips press into a funny s out with us if you put him down for a second?”

Blinking down to the little apricot face watching h Buddy stands besideup and down the hall My eyes catch for a moment on the open mouths and wide eyes of Serena and her crew

“Ruby, I wanted to say this in front of witnesses”

Stepping forward, I speak low in his chest “You can’t do this now I’m not dressed for it”

“I think you look aer under olden-hot caramel “I’ve wanted to say this so many times… I love you, Ruby Banks”

That does it I’

“Reh whisper

That gorgeous smile touches his lips “I love how sht shines off your hair and sparkles in your eyes when you laugh I love the way you get on your knees, right at eye level with Lillie when she wants to tell you so you think is wrong… or when these bitches at school call you mean names…”

Serena makes a huffy “I never” noise, and I put h A hot tear rolls downit aith his thumb as he cups my face