down one side. “Happy birthday,” Cliff says. “You said you don’t like big celebrations. And there’s no way you ate dinner tonight. Also”—he picks up the remote to the TV—“I checked what’s on TV tonight, and you’re in time for Saturday Night Live.” My mouth opens and closes. “Cliff…” “I hear Chris Farley is hosting—” A laugh bubbles out of me. “Cliff…this is—” “All right?” he finishes for me with an unsure lilt to his words. “Is it all right?” “It’s all right,” I agree, but all right comes out more like perfect, and I can tell he knows. I reach up to twist my earring. “This, uh…this isn’t
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