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Tara set her eed it for a full one At least the chaood, and the fact that the Willamotts had invited half the island helped her avoid the people she didn’t want to see: her parents and Brad Whenever she saw the in on her, she dove into the crowd and disappeared She was getting good at it, too

"Hi Tara, finally"

Maybe not good enough, a little voice in her head added

She pivoted and forced a smile "Brad, such a nice party Your parents have outdone thelad we’re finally able to connect"

He grinned in a leering kind of way, his gaze already straying froe She instantly regretted her choice of wardrobe A turtleneck sweater would have been a better choice

"I’uests to entertain" She motioned to the crowd of people "I’d hate to monopolize you"

"I don’t Hate it, I mean You can monopolize me anytime you want to"

She felt acute nausea churn up in her sto she tried humor "Oh you’re too funny, Brad! Always such a joker Your mother did warnwasword Rather his ood attributes whenever she’d gotten a chance How se froue university was considered sht that the hunchback of Notre Da man); and how much ue with the last point

"Did she also mention that I’m a fantastic dancer?" Brad asked, apparently oblivious to her sarcastic remark

"I wish I could, but you know, these shoes, they’re killingYou deserve a better dance partner thantouched by hiet off your feet," he insisted, winking conspiratorially

Ohwith her? And worse: was he planning on cornering her so her off her feet?

"I’d rather not"