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"I don’t knoasn’t going to tell hi deal about it and want et a bunch of tests done That’s what doctors do," she replied

"You said you took too hot of a bath," I said, still standing in the doorway

She stopped packing her bag and looked at er in her eyes "I did, Connor, now let it go for fuck's sake You talk abouta billion questions, but it’s different when it’s you, right?"

I could see that I had upset her, and that’s the last thing I wanted to do I walked over to her and put my hands on her shoulders "I’m sorry I didn’t mean to upset you," I said as I looked into her pained eyes She took her hands and cupped ainst my skin and it made me weak I wanted to take her hands and softly kiss them I wanted to taste her and feel her

"I’m sorry that I raised o of my face and turned around to zip up her suitcase I wanted rabbed her ar her tight

She needed to know that I was sorry This was our first real hug, and it felt so good To coainstI’d wanted to do since I first saw her I didn’t say a word and neither did she She kept her arms wrapped around me and her head on my shoulder I took in the scent of her hair as it was arousing oing to happen So, I broke our e

I picked up her suitcase and walked into thespace of the aparts and how she was on her way to quit her job when she fainted

She was so excited about the sale of her paintings Her eyes were dancing all around as she told et mad when she finds out that I’m the one who purchased the She asked rab a piece of paper out of her desk drawer so she could write down the address of the funeral home I opened the drawer, found a blank piece of paper, and handed her a pen I noticed a piece of paper sitting on top of sos crossed off I took notice that she wanted to go to Paris I would have to take her there someday It’s a beautiful city, and I want to be the one to show her She hung up the phone and looked at me as I held the list in my hand

"What’s this?" I casually asked her

She walked over to s I would like to do in my lifetime I wrote it after Kyle moved out, kind of a new start on life list" She took it from me and put it back in the drawer We walked out and to the li for us

I took her suitcase up to the guest roo onto the bed I set her suitcase in the corner and walked over to the bed She had a big smile on her face as she laid there I took in a sharp breath because of the i on her back I had visions of her lying there nakd withevery inch of skin I had to quickly get it out of my head I asked if she liked the bed, and she replied that she loved it

Damn that smile and what it does to me

It was around dinner tih day, and I’m sure she didn’t eat I asked her if she wanted to order Chinese food, and she said it sounded delicious

I took her hand and helped her up from the bed We headed down to the kitchen, and I pulled a menu out of the drawer I sat beside her on the bar stool and leaned in closer to her as we shared the menu

"What do you like?" I asked her

"I like just about anything; surprise me," she smiled

I took out ot up frolasses, and led her to the living rooht uard when she looked at me seriously and said she wanted to know more about me She said she felt our friendship was one-sided I think in a way she was right I haven’t told her anything about all the women in my life or about Amanda and Ashlyn I’ve only told her bits and pieces about h, and she didn’t need h ht, and I’m sorry; I just don’t like to talk about my life with anyone It’s not that it’s a bad life; I’m just a very personal person, and I like it that way"

She looked down in disappointment, so I leaned over and cupped her chin inintois new to me You need to understand that I’ve never been just friends with a woht up how Ashlyn and I are friends It ht about her I don’t want Ellery thinking about Ashlyn, and if I tell her about our relationship, she’s going to leave I can’t and won’t let her go

"It’s different with Ashlyn, and I don’t want to discuss it now," I said as I looked at her intently

Just then, the doorbell rang, and I got up to answer it I brought the food with a couple of plates and silverware over to the couch I’ve never eaten on the couch before, but it see to do with Ellery She was so casual about everything I handed her a fork, but she asked , pulled out a pair, and handed theolian beef and started to put soave me a weird look