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EIGHT: An Unexpected Proposal

last update Last Updated: 2024-06-18 09:58:03

Before their lips met, the thudding of someone's feet echoed through the foyer and Audrey's usually giddy voice boomed from the grand stairs. "Hey, are you guys back already?"

Instantly, Juniper and Dylan tore away from each other, turning to face her. They smiled awkwardly as their voices croaked in perfect sync, "Hey, Audrey!"

Their sheer abruptness made Audrey flinch backward, her eyes darting from one to the other. "Uh. . . is everything okay?"

"Mm-hmm! Yeah, everything's great!" Juniper's words tumbled out in a forced cheeriness.

"Absolutely! Perfectly fine!" Dylan concurred in the same spirit.

Audrey dealt both of them a look of downright skepticism. "Okaaay. . ." she drawled in a raw monotone. Her tone was laced with doubt, but she seemed to dismiss her concerns, turning to Dylan with a request. "Anyways, Lanny, can I steal you away for a minute? I really need your expertise with something."

Dylan nodded obligingly. "Of course, Audrey!" As he turned
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