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"I love you, too, sweetheart"

"Moet that"

"Okay," Jane said as we stood in the drive "I guess that’s it"

Anna aiting in the car

"You’ll call, right? Icomes up"

"I promise," I said "And say hey to Leslie for me"

As I opened the car door for her, I could already feel the heat of the day bearing down onthe hoht

"Have a good ti her already

Jane nodded and took a step toward the open door Watching her, I knew she could still turn the head of any nored her? I didn’t know and didn’t care, and before I could stop them, the words were already out

"You’re beautiful," I murmured

Jane turned back with a look of faint surprise By her expression, I knew she was trying to figure out whether she’d heard me correctly I suppose I could have waited for her to respond, but instead I did as once as natural toclose before she could turn away, I kissed her gently, her lips soft against my own

This wasn’t like any of the other kisses we’d shared recently, quick and perfunctory, like acquaintances greeting each other I didn’t pull back and neither did she, and the kiss took on a life of its own And e finally drew apart and I saw her expression, I kneith certainty that I’d done exactly the right thing

Chapter Eleven