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“Our what?” she shrieked And all heads whipped in her direction

Charlotte raised her hands in the air and said to the conglo the quaff and nosh, people Kate and I are just chitchatting Catching up on things Girl talk” She winked

Conversations resumed

Kate eyed Charlotte speculatively “You called me Kate”

“Yes I apologize for the previous oversight But Jude said—”

“When did you speak with Jude?”

“Recently At length My, gosh, the effort he isto ensure his proposal for the Dawn Stevens Foundation is a successful one is astounding! I’m so impressed And, Kate—”

The doorbell chimed once more

“Oh!” Charlotte squealed “I bet that’s him now”

“Him, who?” Kate demanded

“Jude, of course”

“Jude!” Kate glared at the other woman “I never invited him”

“I did I’m sorry I didn’t tell you It’s sort of a surprise Well, my surprise, since he doesn’t know I didn’t tell you And it’s just… Oh, this is crazy in theway!”

“Charlotte” Kate gripped her upper ar ether” She said this just low enough that it didn’t draw too much attention

Charlotte beamed, undeterred “I know, Kate Your family doesn’t know, but I do Jude’s here for a different reason”