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"I feel envy, yes," he says quietly

"I need you to give me more than that" I lean forward, kiss his jaw "Envious of what"

"I never used to If anything, I tend to see the positive everywhere Finn and Oliverthey will grow exasperated withme I’m i past my shoulder at the room behind me "But now I look at my best friends and see a certain freedom they haveI want that I think thatturns into a burn and it crawls upe, "I see"

Immediately, Ansel realizes what he’s said, and ducks his head so I’ll look at him "Not because I’m married and they aren’t," he says quickly His eyes"This isn’t about the annulment; I didn’t want it, either It wasn’t just that I promised you"

"Okay"

"I envy their situation in a different way fro, he seems to wait for my expression to soften before he quietly admits, "I didn’t want to move back to Paris Not for this job"

My eyes narrow "You didn’t?"

"I love the city--it’s the center of my heart--but I didn’t want to return the way I did Finn loves his ho a store in San Diego I envy how happy they are being exactly where they want to be"

Tooto coht: "Then why did you co Finally he says only, "I suppose I felt obligated"

I assuation of the job he would have been insane to turn down I can tell even if he hates it that it was a once-in-a-lifetiue slips out, wets his lips "I would at least like to have the option to follohen she leaves"

My heart stutters I decide to skip over sloth and wrath, farthis subject "You’re married?"

He nods, but his expression isn’t playful Not even a little "Yes, I’ht nohile I’erie?"