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He’ll help you put things in perspective"

I had to s past the lump in my throat

"I’ it face-to-face has dignity, at least

That’s so"

My phone was pulled froaze as he said, "Good-bye, Cary," then powered off my phone and set it on the counter

His hair was da low on his hips

The sight of hi me of all that I stood to lose when I lost him - the breathless anticipation and desire, the cohtness thathile

"Who’s the date?" he asked

"Huh? Oh

Shawna - Mark’s sister- in-law - has concert tickets for Friday"

"Have you figured out what you want to eat?" I nodded, tugging at the thigh- length helass of whatever you’re drinking"

He reached around me and picked up the menu I’d set out on the counter

"I’ll order

What do you want?" It was a relief to lasses

"Soup

Crusty bread"

As I tugged the cork out of the bottle of merlot I had left on the counter, I heard him call the deli and speak in that firm, raspy voice of his that I loved from the moment I’d first heard it

He ordered tohtness intold, he’d ordered what I wanted

It was another of the s that always made ether, if only we could lass I’d poured for him and watched as he took a drink

He looked tired, and I wondered if he’d stayed up all night like I had

Lowering the glass, he licked the lingering trace of wine off his lips

"I went to your place looking for you

I expect Cary told you"

I rubbed at the painful ache in estured at what I earing

"Damn it

I didn’t plan this well"

He leaned back into the counter and crossed one ankle over the other

"Go on"

"I figured you’d be home

I should’ve called first

When you weren’t here, I should have just waited for another tiing eyes

"I’ on

I’ht"

His chest expanded on a deep breath

"If you’re waiting for rabbed onto the kitchen island to steady myself

That’s it? That’s the end? "I can’t do it," he said flatly

"I can’t even say I’ll let you walk, if that’s why you’re here"

What? I frowned in confusion

"You left your key at my place"

"I want it back"

"Gideon"

My eyes closed and tears tracked downtowardstride that had nothing to do with the small amount of wine I’d sipped

I had scarcely cleared the doorway of rabbed ruffly, his head bent to reachyou to stay and talk to me

At least listen

You ca for you"

It was hard for ht throat

He released me and I hurried toup with me when you left the key on my counter?" He filled the doorway

His hands were extended above his shoulders, his knuckles white froripped the fra hieverywaistband of his pants to cling to his hip bones

I wanted hi that far ahead," he adhtened around the object in my hand

"You rippedthat key lying there did to me

How bad it hurt me

No idea"

His eyes squeezed shut and his head bowed

"I wasn’t thinking clearly

I thought I was doing the right thing - " "Fuck that

Fuck your damn chivalry or whatever the hell you think that was

Don’t do it again"

My voice took on an edge

"I’ht now and I iveback from that

Do you understand?" "I do, yes

I’m not sure you do"

My breath left me in a shaky exhalation

I approached him