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Rocco straightened and looked up "Nichole mentioned you’ve been up to see Beth every day since the accident"

Sahtly "Yeah What of it?" He didn’t mean to sound defensive, but realized he probably did

"You like her?"

"Not going there for the aht"

"Beth’s great," Sa At this point he wasn’t sure what Rocco’s intentions were

"You feel sorry for her?"

"Of course I do The only relative she has in town is her aunt"

"Ever met the aunt?"

"Yeah Her name’s Sunshine; found out she’s an artist Fro bucks Never heard of her ood Guess no one would pay that much for one of her pieces if she wasn’t"

"When did youalong nicely now The staff have her up and taking steps with a walker Hard to believe they ery" Sam was proud of her; it hadn’t been easy, and it was clear walking was more than a little uncomfortable for her

Rocco nodded and looked down at his feet "I have to tell you I’ht away Sa about Beth’s condition that he didn’t Perhaps she’d hidden soress was slow, but then he was no medical expert and he wasn’t sure what to expect as nor the way she should, isn’t she?"

"Far as I know"

"Then what’s wrong? Is it so to do with her job? The school hired a substitute teacher to cover for her Beth told me she can have her job back once she’s able to return to work"

His friend refused to aze "It’s not about her job and it isn’t about her family, either"

"Then what’s the probleet to his point instead of hedging If there was a problem, then he wanted--no, he needed--to knohat it was

Rocco inhaled a deep breath and then blurted out: "I’ Beth because you feel sorry for her"

"I do feel bad for her So what?" He had a whole plethora of feelings for Beth He liked her a whole lother face light up like a Christmas tree the instant he walked in the door A couple ti that s to hold on to it for a few extra seconds Her s itRocco that, or anyone else, for that matter

"What about when she’s recovered and her life is back to nor these questions "What about it?"

"How are you going to feel about her then?" the other ed "How do I know? We aren’t there yet"

Rocco’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if he was unsure how to respond

This was getting a little too personal and Sam took exception He wasn’t entirely sure what Rocco was trying to say and found hiht be his best friend, but he was crossing the line

Rocco looked about as unco is, Sa his voice, "don’t lead her on, okay?"

"I’ her on The most I’ve done is kiss her forehead when she was asleep"

"That’s just it, buddy Beth is at a vulnerable point, and here you are, her white knight, bringing her roses and--"