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Dash salutes.
Before he takes off, Poppy says, “Hey, Dash.”
His usual goofy expression turns serious, perhaps at the tone in her voice.
“I’m sorry I ever doubted you and—”
“Don’t get all stupid, Serpico.”
She smiles. “One more thing…” She pauses. “Do you think Dad will mind if I bring someone tonight?”
“What, like a date?”
Poppy hesitates.
Dash’s smile returns. “Nah. I think he’ll say, ‘It’s about damned time.’”
Poppy smiles. “All right, get outta here, you goon.”
“Hey,” he says, his tone softer than usual.
She looks at him.
“You know this isn’t the military anymore, right?”
Poppy cocks her head, not understanding.
“You bring your friend from KBI, or whoever you want. All we care about is that she’s good to you.”
Dash fires up the bike and takes off with a clatter.
Poppy waves goodbye. And damned if she doesn’t have tears in her eyes.
84
GEORGETOWN, WASHINGTON, D.C.
Eddie stands up at the long table in the middle of Thunder Burger & Bar in Georgetown. “I want to make a toast.”
Ryan considers intervening. The last time Eddie made a toast it nearly got him canceled.
Eddie continues: “To the new editor in chief of the law journal.”
They all raise their glasses and roar a round of cheers. Nora Watanabe blushes, modest as always. They’ve just finished finals and the election results came in today. Ryan was a distant second and will serve as Nora’s managing editor.
Eddie continues: “And here’s wishing our newbies on the staff, whoever they may be, an amazing trip to Italy. I, for one, will not be going back.”
This is met with groans.
There will be no summer abroad for any of them this year. Most of the gang are heading to Big Law. Many swore off ever “selling out” when they began law school, but six-figure student loans have a way of changing your priorities. But as much as he could use the money, Ryan chose to intern at the public defender’s office. Advice from an old mobster who told Ryan to do good in the world.
Nora, unsurprisingly, has short- and long-term plans that include a stint at Covington & Burling, multiple judicial clerkships, and a run at the SG’s office. She’s too modest to say so, but Ryan knows that her dreams include being a Supreme Court justice so she can change things from the inside.
“Is there anything you like about Europe, Eddie?” Divya asks.
Eddie thinks about this. “One thing is better there: They don’t tip.”
“When have you ever tipped?” Aiden fires back, eliciting a high five from Jake.