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It took a little effort, but Chris looked away "If you came to see her--"

"You know I came to see you" With hardly a ripple in the water, Matt drifted closer "Because she’s a friend, I asked Priss if you were seeing anyone else"

That had to be a joke "You gossiped about nored his ire "She said you aren’t"

"Hate to break it to you, but Priss isn’t privy to , listening Voices carried on the lake, but the drone of conversation up the hill continued uninterrupted, ensuring that no one listened to them

Chris used both hands to splash his face with the cold water, but it didn’t help hiether Matt’s nearness left hi Damn it

In ato sayto the end of the dock

Before he could swiht his ar up his usual, cavalier tone, Chris said, "Stay if you want"

"I’ his back to Matt, Chris stared out at the smooth surface of the lake This was his hoing here

He avoided a direct answer "I likethat it was hurt more than disdain that put the sneer in Matt’s tone, Chris’s temper spiked He rounded on Matt "That’s what you think?"

Matt didn’t back down; he closed the small distance between them "That you’ve built your life around Dare? It’s obvious, isn’t it? Caring for his dogs, living on his property in a house he gave to you"

"The house is part of iven the extent of Chris’s duties, he’d more than earned it

The comfortable home suited him perfectly He was close when sudden business took Dare out of town, but he had his own s…damn it, he loved them like they were his own

Only…they weren’t his He ran a hand through his wet hair

Matt touched his shoulder "You could have e: You could have er at being pushed, but he knew the truth

What he felt was regret

"I want this" Over the years, he’d gotten so comfortable with his routine--a routine that accoer i a clock for so in an office Wearing a suit He shuddered at the thought

Frustration palpable, Matt narrowed his eyes He released Chris and instead braced a hand on the wooden ladder leading up to the dock Gaze averted, he muttered, "So that’s it, huh?"