This was the second time in the past thirty days that one of Ford's closest friends had interrupted him to suggest they continue the conversation in private. Ford felt panicky all of the sudden. The last time this had happened, it hadn't gone well.

Ford hardly heard the rest of what Tycho said, fixated as he was on the suggestion that they speak in private. Maybe Tycho wanted to tell him the same thing Cash had — that he needed to be careful what he said in public. This wasn't fair. He'd only been talking about being friends with Tycho, so how could anyone take that the wrong way? Besides, he was careful all the time. This was one night he was relieved from the duties of being a chaperone and from being an older brother. Noble had the girls. Ford didn't want to be careful of his feelings tonight. He'd just broken things off with Macnair, his sister was getting married in a week — he had a lot of feelings and he was tired of being careful not to talk about them.

"I think I'll get a drink," Ford said thickly, then pulled his arm free from Tycho's as he turned to leave.

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