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I looked back at her. “So do you.”

“I know.” She smiled through the last of her tears. “That’s why I’m abandoning you for Europe.”

“You’re terrible.”

“You’ll forgive me when I bring you back something expensive from Paris.”

“That depends on how expensive it is.”

“Now you sound like me.”

We finished our drinks and returned to the living room. Richard looked over when we entered, and whatever he saw on my face made his attention settle fully on me.

“Everything all right?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said. “Leanne is leaving me.”

Leanne placed a hand over her chest. “To become an internationally famous model. Please tell the story correctly.”

My father looked at her with genuine warmth. “You heard back from the agency?”

“I did. I got it.”

“Congratulations.” He pulled her into a hug. “Carl and Diane must be thrilled.”

“My mom cried for ten minutes and then started worrying about everything that could possibly happen to me in Europe.”

My father smiled. “Sounds about right.”

“She’s already threatened to come find me if I don’t call enough.”

Richard stood beside me and touched my lower back lightly. “Where are they sending you?”

“Paris first, then Milan. Maybe London after that.”

“That sounds incredible.”

“It does, doesn’t it?” Her excitement finally won over the guilt. “I’ve been trying to act normal all night.”

“You failed,” I said.

An hour later, it was getting late, and Dad did not want to keep us too long. My father walked us to the door, then shook Richard’s hand with both of his.

“It was nice meeting you Richard, don’t be a stranger,” he said.

“It was my pleasure Mr. Whitmore.”

My father looked at me, and his face softened. “Call me tomorrow.”

“I will.”

Leanne hugged me at the door and whispered, “Don’t overthink tonight.”

I pulled back enough to look at her. “Have you met me?”

“Yes. That is why I said it.”

Richard helped me into my coat, then opened the front door. The cold air touched my face, and I looked back once before stepping outside.