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I , and his frown rin “Emmy Barton Ethan didn’t say kids would be here”

His voice is like warm butter, and I’m thrilled he res I started at Sarah Lawrence last year”

“Bully for you” He takes a drink of whiskey, but I’er than his sarcasm

“I wanted to stay close to home”

“Why the hell would you want that?”

Blinking up at hi for honesty “I uess family feels more important when you lose someone”

“Oh, right Sorry” He looks down at his tumbler, and his expression darkens

My o It was devastating watching her suffer, and her death was a mixture of heartbreak and relief she was out of pain It still hurts if I think about it too much…

Stephen’s mother died of cancer ere kids, but I reed him How he smiled less, played less

“We have that in coentle

“It’s not so fresh for ed I’m not inside the wall, but I’m closer

“Here you are” Burt appears athis hand on my lower back What the hell?

Stephen’s eyes go to where he’s touching me, and all I can think is fuck no

“You’re drunk” I shove Burt’s hands off my short denim skirt

He immediately puts both hands oncloser “You’re not blowing me off for this asshole are you?” His breath smells like vodka, and his flat brown eyes are intoxicated