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“I’d be there for him” Tendrils of Marie’s blond hair had escaped fro pots “Butyou’ve gone off alone with him, twice now, and in twelve years you’ve never done that before Plus I’ve seen you look at him It’s likehooes when you talk to him these past few days”

“I do not have a thing for Lia all of this”

“You’ve never lied toshe never wanted to hear again Ever

Juht across the top of her piles of papers, regardless of any ht erator Only then did she face her friend

“I a to risk us—the three of us—ever And falling for Lia-time”

“You know I love hireat amous, always faithful, but he er than most, but”

“I know”

“But?”

“But nothing” In the years they’d all been friends, Marie had never even inti other than friendship between Liam and either one of them “It’s just”

Marie’s face fell, her gaze filled orry “It’s happening, isn’t it?”

“No” She wasn’t going to let it happen “I just He’s changing,” she said “Haven’t you noticed?”

“He’s finally standing up to his old man, if that’s what you mean”

“And carving a life for himself By his oeat and blood”

“And the help of his trust None of which has anything to do e’re talking about You’re attracted to him, aren’t you?”

Gabrielle tried to deny the charge But this was Marie And she’d just told herself she wasn’t going to lie again “I don’t know Maybe But it will pass”