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"I had a, uo so well"

They were al lot where her moround to a halt Candace stopped to face the music "You told me you ith Macy"

"I was, for a while Then I ran into, uuy I know, and--"

"Who?" That one as practically an inquisition

Candace took a deep breath, praying, praying… Oh, crap, it was useless Looking into her mother’s expectant, icy blue eyes, she couldn’t even say his name "He’s one of Michelle’s exes"

For a split second, Sylvia looked relieved "Scott Chandler, maybe?"

"No"

"For heaven’s sake, who, Candace?"

"Moet one and her mother blanched three shades whiter Candace’s heart deflated "Not Alexander’s boy What are you thinking? What was Michelle thinking?"

"What’s so wrong about him? I mean, he’s different, but--"

"Different? No Different I could accept Maybe But that boy’s been nothing but a stain on his faot her away from him, and now he’s o well We don’t have to worry about you seeing hiot her away froain "At least you have Deanne’s wedding to look forward to There will be several eligible bachelors there, if you’re looking Do you reraduation? I was so impressed with hiroo in from Yale Isn’t that wonderful? Candy, I want you to find someone like that, someone with a real future Maybe Deanne will pair you with hiet to know one another better"

Candace kept her jaw resolutely closed, but ice slid down her spine Indeed, she reraduation with Tyler He’d also been the one she’d told Brian about, the only other guy who’d ever had his hands on her body, and not with her peruy had been obnoxiously arrogant, but soed to charm the pants off any and all parents Hers had loved hiiving her that nudge-nudge-ink look even then

Candace smirked He hadn’t been able to charm her pants off And he’d reacted violently

But she already knew better than to try to explain to her uy Sylvia would turn it around and make it her fault, somehow