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A tatter of giggles erupted fro theirl who claiain, if she were to die soon, I’d totally ignore her She’d want ht me a flower," Cookie said as I plopped down across fro into the seat with a dra cocktail hour

"Sure did" I handed the daisy over to her

"So, a houy?"

I nodded "Yeah He was at the corner up the street and walked through traffic to hand it tosmirk on her face

"Five"

"You paid five dollars for this? It’s plastic And filthy" She shook it to get the layer of dirt off "He probably stole it off sorave"

"It was all I had on me"

She shook her head in disappointment "How can they always pick the suckers out of a crowd?"

"No clue Did you order?"

"Not yet I was just glad to get a table That itated and was not happy you wouldn’t be back to the office until one"

"Well, he’ll just have to hold his horses PIs have to eat, too"

"And I see your bestie is back again"

I glanced back at Jessica’s table "I think she should have to pay rent"

"I concur wholeheartedly"

A sloarmth spread over me as I spoke The heat that forever surrounded Reyes curled aroundHis hunger undeniable But before I could seek hih no less powerful: regret I turned and watched as ing a chair with my foot

He pushed it back to the table "I just came in to finish up the last of the paperwork" He looked around Calamity’s "I think I’ll ia was not the e from him

"Why don’t you sit down, Leland?" Cookie asked

He snapped back to us "That’s okay I have a few errands to run before I head out"

"Dad," I said,for air underneath the oppressive sadness and regret pouring out of hi my stepmother for a sailboat Not that I blamed him A sailboat would at least be useful But why now? Why after all these years?

He waved off reat I’ve alanted to learn how to sail"

"So, you start by planning a trip across the Atlantic?"

"Not across," he said, his smile a ploy to set my mind at ease "Not all the way"

"Dad--"