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She shrugged.  “I don’t know.  Liam was the one who put the idea into my head and then, when I watched the two of you together, all the pieces fit.”

“You’re not upset or bothered by it, are you?”

“No.”  Annabel’s smile widened.  “Dad’s an asshole and moved on a long time ago.  You deserve to be happy, too, mom.”

“But does it bother you that we’re so different in age?”

“You’re notthatfar apart, are you?”

I was finally able to smile as well.  “He was your brother’s friend, Anna.  I could be his mother.”

She shrugged again, acting as if I was one of her friends who’d just come up with a silly idea.  “So what are you guys doing on your date?”

I shook my head and told her the truth.  “I have no idea.”