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He’s being so a after the eh I’ and if he really expectshere for the next six e reason, I don’t hate the idea We watch each other in silence for severalwhat it wouldabout it It would mean I couldn’t touch hiainstthe money, I assume I’m free to spend it however I wish?"

"Of course you can," he says

"Then I’d like to donate it to your charity work in Africa"

A slow smile uncurls on his lips "Okay then"

I’d only cos fro to whatever it was that he wanted to tellfrouest room down the hall that smells of lint and furniture polish

The bed is dressed in shell blue linens and the furniture is s on the wall and decorative sconces flank either side of the creaauzy drapes shading the large picture s and look out at the pool below A cool shudder passes through me and I wrap my arms around my middle I have no desire to be anywhere near that pool and I snap the curtains closed, blocking it fro the crystal blue water sparkle in the sunlight brings on a fresh wave of pain and hulare and icy tone as she informed me, in no uncertain terms, that she was his wife The ife –in relation to Colton– doesn’t resonate Especially co from that woman’s mouth I could never see him with someone like her They just don’t fit It makes me wonder if I even know hiure that out I want y that flows so easily between us whenever he’s near –but I will settle for friends – for now, as we navigate this bubored and alone But rather than going to find Colton in this monstrous house, I flop down on the bed and dial Becca on h she hasn’t battled aggressive stage-four cancer for the past several years

"Hi" Her strength and deter to her about my dile?" she asks

"Nothing," the lie slips easily froer than I expected"

"Oh? Did Mr Sexy, Rich and Handsome win you back already?"

"Sort of," I admit Colton had been ed at so here and working with Kylie"

"And I take it you accepted?" she asks

"I’onna try it," I confirm

"I don’t blame you I wouldn’t live with Mom and Dad either if I didn’t have to"

We don’t discuss the fact that she isn’t able to live on her own for health reasons It hurts to even think about

"And what about you guys?" she asks "Are you a couple again, or what?"

"No" This tireed We’re going to take things slohile he works on his past"