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Taking a sip, he watched intently as Claire waged an internal war He hadn’t realized howthe battle of wills behind her eyes As she began to take a drink, he laughed at the outcome She’d just lost and he’d watched it all

"I hope you’re alass back on the table without drinking "I believe I’ a headache We’ll need to postpone this dinner for another tian to push herself away from the table, his heart raced Tony wouldn’t allow her to leave, not now, not after so much time He reached across the table and covered her hand Suentle touch, he explained After all, that hat Catherine had said to do--to have faith Let Claire decide She couldn’t decide if she didn’t know his intent Sheepishly, he implored, "Claire, I’d like you to stay Your plans are to be commended You probably know, but even without the clothes I sent, you’re stunning Now, if we’re done with this ridiculous posturing, I’d like to talk with you for a while"

"This wasn’t !" Her tone was hushed and harsh "I assure you, my head does hurt"

"I have missed you terribly" He didn’t intend to say it so bluntly, but he had to let her know "I have th, your smile, andeyes!"

"Stop it"

"Excuse ? Didn’t she realize how hard this was?

"I said, stop it!" The emerald fire intensely burned She continued, "The last tio with you back to your home, our home in Iowa City As I recall, you offered me a psychiatric institution, so ould I be interested in listening to your drivel today?"

His mind spun Explain yourself--that hat Catherine had said He tried "Well, first, because you accepted my invitation"

"I accepted your invitation for one reason, to convince you to leave me alone We are done!"

"My dear, it isn’t that si no rooue the concept, no matter how ludicrous it was She was his forever Done wasn’t an option

"It is" Yet he heard the uncertainty in her voice, until her next emphasized word smashed his world to smithereens "Anton"