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sure it’s nearly yours as well. ”
She didn’t want to deal with hours of placating the worry and concern she saw in everyone’s eyes. She just wanted them to go away.
“Natches and I are going to stay all night, Janey,” Chaya decided. “We’re worried. ”
Janey inhaled, then lifted the wine. She took a long sip, staring at Chaya and Natches over the rim of the glass. Her brother’s face was calm, but his eyes raged.
“I thought that was Alex’s job?” She looked at Alex. A mocking half smile tilted his lips.
“Not tonight,” Natches told her, his voice even.
Janey shook her head. “Fine, the two of you can stay and I’ll get a hotel room. Not a problem. ”
Natches dropped his head back on the chair and closed his eyes as Chaya patted his knee.
“Janey, please . . . ” Chaya began to protest.
“It’s his apartment. It’s in his name. ” She shrugged. “It’s not a problem. I’ll also be posting ads this week for a manager for the restaurant. I’m thinking about going back to college. ”
Strangely, Natches looked back at Alex. Alex stiffened, his eyes narrowing.
“Sudden decision, isn’t it?” Alex asked.
“Not really. ” Janey shrugged. “I need a break . . . ”
“Bullshit. ”
Alex’s voice was carefully controlled, his gaze flat and hard.
She sipped at her wine again, her gaze locked with his.
“I’ll find another manager before I go, but I’ll be leaving within a few weeks. ”
Ray, Maria, Rowdy, Kelly, Dawg, and Crista rose from their seats as Alex’s jaw tensed and Faisal watched the Mackays worriedly.
“Yeah, time for us to leave. ” Dawg stretched and wrapped his arm around his wife before heading for the door. The others followed. Chaya and Natches stayed in place.
“Come here and give us a hug, Janey,” Dawg commanded.
“I, too, will leave. ” Faisal watched Natches in concern. “But I do not like the thought of Janey leaving this town, Natches. ”
Janey hugged Dawg as she listened to Natches and Faisal talking. She hugged Ray and took his kiss on the cheek, and Maria’s. Kelly’s hug was tight and hard, and Rowdy kissed her hair with a whispered
“Nice try. ”
Crista smiled and hugged her, then Dawg wrapped her in his arms, lifted her against him, and almost made a tear fall with his muttered “Don’t leave us. We love ya, ya know?”
“I know, Dawg,” she whispered back. “College calls, though. ”
He chuckled at that. “You wish. ”
Faisal stood before her then, his dark face and gleaming black eyes concerned. “I would not enjoy losing the aunt I have come to admire as I admire you,” he told her.
“You’re a hell of a nephew, Faisal,” she assured him with a quick smile. “Get back home. I’m sure you have classes tomorrow. ”
She closed the door behind him, then moved back to her wine.
“I’ll go pack my bag. ” She finished her wine. “I’ll call a cab from the bedroom. ”
