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Story: As It Was

SherriffMike Finch: Oh, damn. Knew about the lawsuit. Didn’t know he was playing everyone with being nice, though.
Kerry Winsor: You KNEW? Why didn’t you tell us?
Tammy Jane: Some things don’t need to end up on Facebook, Kerry.
Kerry Winsor: This DEFINITELY needed to be here! And everyone agrees with me!
Nicole Rudder: Seriously. At least I didn’t fall for his act.
Headlights came downthe driveway and I had to stop myself from bolting out the door. Had Mollie had fun? Was she happy? I wanted to know everything about her night out.
I was as patient as I could be, though I opened the front door the second Grace’s car stopped.
The passenger door opened next. “Cain!” Mollie yelled before stumbling into my arms.
“Whoa there, princess.” I grabbed hold of her to keep her steady. “Are you drunk?”
“Just a little.” Her arms went around me and she squeezed. “You smell so good. Has anyone ever told you that?”
There was a laugh, and I saw Grace watching us from where she stood next to the car.
Normally, I’d be embarrassed, but this time, I didn’t really care.
“She had a few of Tammy’s drinks. Jade’s in the back seat cursing me out for not letting her go home with anyone else.”
“Thanks for getting them home safely.”
She brightened at the words. “Youdoknow manners.”
“I have to be on my best behavior.” I pointed to the woman in my arms, who was putting more and more of her weight on me.
“I’m happy for you both. And I bet Jade will say the same thing when she’s sober.” Grace waved and got back into the car before driving off. I opened the door and led Mollie inside.
“That was so fun,” she said. “But it would have been even more fun if you were there.”
“Defeats the purpose of a girls’ night.”
“Who cares about rules?” she asked. “Why can’t the man I love join in on everything I do?”
I paused. Did she just say ...
But then I shook it off. What she said while her inhibitionswere lowered could easily be something she wasn’t ready to fully admit. I wouldn’t address it until she was ready.
Unless I said it first.
“We’ll talk to the girls about it. But right now, I’m getting you in bed.”
“You better join me,” she pouted.
“Not when you’re drunk,” I replied.
“No, forsleep.Please? I love it when you’re there.”
“And I love being next to you,” I replied. “But you always grumble when I’m getting up and moving.”
“No, I don’t.”
“You definitely do.”

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