He gestured toward me with his hat. “You look…really good.” “So do you.” I tried for a smile. “Good enough to eat.” Instead of the laugh I expected, Panther’s mouth turned down and he looked away. “Hey,” I said, taking a step toward him, but still keeping out of his personal space. “What’s going on? How come you’re out here instead of in there?” “I—I can’t do this.” My heart stopped. “You can’t do what?” “I can’t pretend anymore. I can’t go in there pretending.” “Pretending…what, exactly?” “You know what, Mateo. I can’t go in there and lie and tell people I couldn’t find a date when the
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