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“I need to get back to the girls.” The look on her face tells me the story of Diane isn’t sitting well with her. “I don’t want them to be without someone for very long. Natalie, it was nice chatting with you. I’ll be seeing you.” She starts to stand up and I follow, pushing her seat in.

“It was so nice meeting you, Laney." Natalie takes Laney into her arms. "I look forward to getting to know you. I’m so happy that I have a sister now. No offense, Nate, but you suck at girl talk.”

“No offense taken. Knowing that I can’t do the girl talk is a sure way to keep my man card securely in my back pocket.” I turn to Laney and put my hands on her shoulders. “Natalie, meet me in the lobby, there’s some things I wanted to talk to you about. I’ll need you to ride with me back to my place so I can shower and get cleaned up. Just let me walk Laney back.”

“All right, Nate.”

“Nathan, you don’t have to walk me back. I’m fine.”

“No you’re not.” I stop her, cupping her chin in my hands. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”

“Nothing.”

“Love, don’t do that.”

“The whole Diane thing just got to me. I didn’t expect that.”

“Diane is a dead issue for me. She was nothing more than a body to keep my bed warm when I needed it. We both have our pasts, Laney. Yes, mine is a bit more colorful than yours, but the past is something that we learn from and I’ve learned so much. Please don’t hold the mistakes of my past against me.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?” I’m not convinced.

“Yes, okay, you’re right. I have no right to hold anything against you. Now go. I’m fine here with the girls. You go and take care of your things. I’ll see you in a little while. I know Brad will be here shortly anyway, if he isn’t already here.”

“All right, love, I’ll be back soon, Laney.”

“All right. See you soon.” I watch her walk away I hope she believes me when I tell her that she’s the only one who I’ve cared enough about to change my life. If she doesn’t believe in it, then I’ll make it my mission to change her mind.