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He put one on her plate, then took a bite of the pizza, keeping his elbows tucked in as much as possible. Marti kept the conversation going, and she and Wilda seemed to get along well. So Milo joined in when necessary, and the rest of the time he talked with the boys.

When the boys were all full, they returned to the arcade, and Milo moved to the edge of the seat again. Marti got up to use the restroom, and Milo glanced at Wilda.

“Um. ..how are you doing?”

“Better than you.”

He smiled. “I’m not sure how… or what…” He shrugged. “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to be sorry. It was just one of those…awkward moments.”

“Right. It didn’t really feel awkward at the time, though.”

“Milo.”

“Sorry, but it didn’t. It felt…”

“Don’t. Just don’t. You know I can’t go there.”

“Okay.” He finished the root beer in his glass. “But we’re okay?”

“Of course.”

“Good. Because I would feel…”

“Can we just not talk about it?”

“Sure. You’re right. Not talking about it is…super healthy.”

“Milo!”

Marti returned and slid in across from them. “What did I miss?”

“Nothing. Not a thing.”

“Hmm. Are you sure?”

Milo stood. “I’m going to go waste some money in the arcade.”

Wilda watched him go, then turned back to Marti, who was looking at her. “Are you sure I didn’t interrupt something?”

“I’m sure.”

Marti watched Milo with the boys. “He is so darn cute. I swear, these Buchanan brothers. There ought to be a law.”

“Well, you've got yourself a good one.”

Marti sighed. “I sure did. Never saw instant motherhood coming, but I think I’m doing okay with it.”

“The boys love you.”

“I hope so. How’s your little guy doing?”

“He’s actually making some pretty good progress. He’s still really shy in situations like this, but the boys seem to have welcomed him right in. So that’s really cool.”

“You know, you could do a lot worse than Milo. He’s pretty special.”

Wilda watched him again for a moment. “I’ve noticed.”