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“I proht her head back to rest on his shoulder

Chapter Twenty-five

August 2011

Near Essex Junction, Ver, Paul sat at the kitchen table in his parents’ far at his laptop It was alland for teeks Every day he sat down to type an email to Julia, and every day he found he couldn’t

Her emails were always cheerful, and the most recent one was no exception She’d written hi him to visit the VaticanAs if he needed the re around Europe with her dashing and older husband, as probably thinking of ways to persuade her to have his baby

Bastard

Paul was a rugby player He was tough But sorove, Pennsylvania, had turned his life upside down Noas afraid of doing what he’d already determined to do

“This is ridiculous,” heto flohen he heard a knock at the back door

Curious, he answered it

“Hi” Allison greeted hie coffees froht you could use one of these”

When he didn’t respond, she gave hi on your dissertation? I don’t o”

“Wait Come in” He held the screen door open

She thanked hi out a chair across from where his coot back froe to it “My dissertation director is kicking round to cover before September”

“Hoas your trip?”

Paul sipped his coffee and ood My paper ell and I was able to talk toher cup a little too tightly “Was she there?”

“Her name is Julia” Paul’s tone was sharp

“I know that,” she said gently “I met her in this kitchen, reain

“How is she?”

“She’s good Her husband was there, too”

Allison searched Paul’s unusually morose expression

“You don’t sound happy”

He didn’t respond

“I’ave her a half-smile “Why are you sorry?”

“Because I don’t like to see you pining”

He shrugged but didn’t deny it

“I was trying to compose an eripped her cup in two hands “I don’t know her But I think it’s weird that she’s keeping in touch with you, given your history It’s like she’s leading you on”

“You’re right, you don’t know her” Paul glared

“I doubt her husband is happy about her e about the Professor