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He finished wiping the countertops and stove The kitchen was back in order If only the sa on with hi with her

He looked at the clock above the stove It was only nine Making a decision, he grabbed his jacket and car keys He stopped briefly in the fa did not have to be a waste

A trip to the all-night donut shop in town and forty minutes later, he stood on the Pattersons’ front porch steps He rang the doorbell The hipped against his hair and batted against his wool-lined denim jacket She did not answer Her truck was in the drive He rang the bell again No lights were visible from the front of the house Maybe she was asleep

He was about to turn around and leave, disappointment an almost palpable taste in his h the screen,no attee and white bag in his hand, he said, “I’m here for a truce”

She pushed open the screen door and stepped back He looked down at her and felt like swearing Her eyes were ri to her cheeks

She had been crying and it was his fault He dropped the pastry bag on the hall table “Oh, Zoe” He gripped her ar his hands to her back She rerateful that she did not atteel I’ainst his chest “It’s my fault What you do with your wo that state away fro to have dessert with Carlene”

If anything, her tears fell faster “It doesn’t matter It’s none of my business I’m just your friend You don’t oweout between hiccupping sobs

Just a friend? When had Zoe been relegated to just a friend in his life? She was the one person he trusted above all others Not able to stand the sight of her tears, he pulled her back against hi”

She took several deep breaths He rubbed her back, atte to comfort her “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had I don’t trust anyone like I trust you”

“That makes it worse,” she wailed She broke away from him and backed up until she met the wall Narrow, the hallway only afforded a few feet of distance between the like he did not know the script, he dee door open”

What? “Why?”

“Because I was jealous of Carlene”

“I can’t believe this”