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“It is closer to everyone,” Mo my fictitious excuse

“I suppose it’s easier for Derek to pop over from the office, too,” Cheryl says

My breath stutters, and thankfully Elaine and Lane are coh the door at that exact moment

“We made it!” she calls cheerfully, and Lane makes a beeline to the little boys “Where’s my mimosa?”

“Good idea,” I say, heading for the kitchen

My hands shake violently as I reach for the cava It’s only a matter of momen

ts before he’ll walk through the door, and I’ll have to face him What the hell made me think I could do this? I should’ve insisted he wait to visit Dex at a later time when I could be elsewhere Several deep breaths, I have to cos easier for me, but I couldn’t ban him from the party It would be too cruel, and Dex would want his daddy

Tears threaten in my eyes, and I quickly pop the cork Elaine walks up behind ?” Her voice is low, concerned

“Okay,” I nod as I pour an inch of cava into her glass of orange juice I take h this party”

A low voice fro roo painfully fast In a gulp, I finish the rest of lass

Elaine’s green eyes are fixed, and she holds my forearm “Ready?”

Taking another sip, I see my hand tremble too much, and I set the flute on the counter “I don’t have a choice”

Holding hands, we start back for the living roo the corner,dark jeans and a long-sleeved chambray button-down shirt under a broeed blazer The shirt hts in his dark hair It’s ridiculous that he looks evena soft brown teddy bear with a huge blue bow and a bouquet of red and white roses I have to look away quickly before I lose the tiny bit of control I’ to

“Oh, Derek, they’re beautiful” Mo his arht in?”

“Yes,” his low voice cuts through et an early start, but I wouldn’t miss Dex’s party”