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"Wanting isn’t the problem, Kay It never has been You knoant you More thanthat you want me as much as I want you, but I still can’t have you It’s torture, Eli Telling et If you want me to have even a chance to move on, help me understand Tell me what you’ve done that’s so horrible" She looked at him and the tears in her eyes almost broke him "It would be so much easier if I could hate you Even just a little"

Eli realized then that he’dotistical desire to keep her love, to have her look at him like he was her hero, that had kept hiet over him, and he’d just been too selfish to use it

The truth All he had to do was tell her the truth She’d never look at his fro Then you’ll understand"

And she’d finally be free

DINNER WAS MAINLY a silent affair Kay shoveled in the chicken breast she’d sautéed, trying to hurry up and get to the part where he told her his story They’d both showered and changed clothes as soon as they got home, and then Eli had disappeared while she made dinner They hadn’t spoken the entire time Hope seemed to sense the tension because she was cranky and cried off and on while Kay was trying to feed her

"Do you want some of mine?" Eli held out a small piece of chicken on his fork To Kay’s surprise, Hope immediately leaned forward

"Careful," Eli crooned He allowed Hope to take the bite and then pulled back "It’s just a sht?"

Kay nodded "I’m just surprised she took it I always have to trick her into eating when she’s cranky like this"

"I think it’s just the novelty of having me feed her Here, let me try" He held out his arrinned down at the baby and fed her tiny pieces froly fascinated

"Whoa, what is she doing?" Eli struggled to keep a grip on the baby as she squirmed in his arms Finally, she turned over and then stood up, her tiny feet balancing on his thighs She slapped two hands on his bald head and squealed Delighted with this new toy, she patted his head again and then tried towith her daughter "I think she’s fascinated with your head"

"I never thought I’d hear that from a woman" A rare sh the roo a bubble of joy to escape her own h It was the kind of thing dreahter and theand happy