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“When are youin?” she asked

“Tomorrow”

She nodded And he figured she knew his father had disowned him

“If you need any help unpacking, I’ll be home after four”

Chin jutting, hands in his pockets, he nodded

“Tomorrow? Before the renovations?” Marie asked

“We signed the papers today because it’s the end of the month and that worked out best financially,” Gabrielle said before Liam could think of a believable explanation “Liam’s expenses run month to month as well, I’m sure”

“That’s right,” he said “Not that I paid rent, of course, but the association fee will come due tomorrow” The twelve hundred a month he paid for his share of the doorman and upkeep of the communal facilities

Marie looked at the on They all knew it And soreed to leave it alone

They talked a couple more minutes Marie offered to ht, since Lia settled And then she was called out to help with a rush up front and was gone

“Are you okay?” Gabi didn’t h she’d hugged hi? Was he really that pathetic? That he needed a hug because his daddy was mad at him?

“I a this”

She studied hi back down at her papers Not dis was normal

So he turned to go Because it hat he would have done the day before The week before The year before

“Liam?”