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“No” It would have been indecent and, having grown up in a superficial world, Liahest value on authenticity As his father had taught him by example And that wasn’t what this conversation was about He was trying to save Marie froellation “But that didn’t mean I didn’t want to Or that I didn’t think about it Or try to find her when Karen and I broke up She’d moved” And he’d moved on

Marie’s med student was a schmuck But since there was no chance that they would still have a relationship, there was no reason to belabor that point

“Did Karen know?” Gabi’s question was softly spoken

“Of course not” He was authentic—not stupid “I didn’t tell her when I thought the dress she had on made her look heavier than she was, either,” he said, to prove his point “Nor did I adh” He’d grabbed her up in a hug instead, telling her that she was beautiful and she needed to quit worrying so much He’d distracted her with a kiss

And he’d noticed that cellulite every time he saw her after that But only because she’d ed—in any way—how he felt about her

“So, like I said, guys are jerks,” Marie said But she was kind of s to break any minute

“I wouldn’t go that far” Liaer to , too And then sobered “I think there are men who, for whatever reason, just like women In the plural,” he told her with complete honesty

“Like you”

“Maybe And maybe I’h to know not to proamous relationship, it stays that way until I’m out”

“You don’t think you’ll ever marry?”

“Not unless soed “I figure I’ kind”

They’d passed through the bullet hole, on to the other side Again

The three of them chatted for another half hour Gabrielle cajoled Marie and Lia donated food to hand out to ho up for pizza on Sunday And then, with a shudder at the thought of graduating fro off their separate ways, Liam reminded himself not to borrow trouble and went home to bed

CHAPTER ONE

Present day