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He stopped walking and turned tohere and I a a month away froed "Maybe I’hed in disbelief "And lare and alked in silence until he hit the sue that overlooked the valley below us We weren’t really high up, but high enough to get a nice view of the sunset, the high desert landscape all bathed in angry reds and oranges

Adalanced up at hi his handso and hair He spoke in a quiet, al to be on the saether for the next few days, and for your mom’s sake, can we call a truce?"

I folded etto say to each other"

"Really Nothing at all?" he saidhow petty I sounded I cleared my throat and looked down "Except that I honestly hope that you and your fa the view "Thank you They are"

I took a deep breath and let it go "And…I hope you do find happiness I--I never said that before but I’ve wanted to I hope…" andto wish him happy with Lindsay because, let’s face it, I wasn’t Mother Teresa I couldn’t go that far

He turned tofor me to say more and when I didn’t, he spoke "Maybe I’m already happy"

Pain seized reat," I said in a tiny voice

He turned and watchedthere" Another long pause, then I clearedIt will be dark soon"

I turned to leave but was brought up short when he reached out for my arm to stay me His touched burned my skin and I flinched I turned back to him and he said, "I was serious I took a leave of absence from the company"

To say I was shocked was an understate?"

He shrugged "As long as it takes to prove toout for you? Any withdrawal symptoms yet?"

He did not look amused and I realized the inappropriateness of ain, Mia," I said "Putting your foot in it as usual"