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"Why do all men seem to think they need to rescue a wo our damn selves? Why do I need to be rescued? I don’t need a , Purina-fucking, listening-at- over here to rescueto take theht to look scared

"I ot one antsto do with me! One ants to be my boyfriend, but can’t even re decorator!"

I was on a roll At this point I was just ranting, plain and si while he tried to follow e eyes

"I mean, you shouldn’t force someone to eat Vietnamese food if they don’t like Vietnamese food, should you? I shouldn’t have to eat it, should I, Simon?"

"No, Caroline, I don’t think you should--" he started

"No, of course I shouldn’t, so I got the fried rice! Fried rice, Siain--not for Jaot that?"

"Well, Caroline, I think--"

"And for your inforht! I took care of it one And I know you think Ja to lose ht it, but finally let go "He isn’t a bad guy He just…he just…he just isn’t the right guy fordown to the floor in front ofmy head in my hands

I cried for a moment, while Simon remained frozen abovedown here!" I sputtered

He sed a smile and sat down in front of athered me into his arms And I totally let him He settled me onto his lap and held entle, and even though I knew better--oh, how I knew better--I tucked into the nook and let him comfort ertipsthe tiniest of circles onsince I’d been held, just held, by a man that between the tiny circles and the scent of his fabric softener I was losing an to quiet as he held ed on my floor "Why didn’t you play me music this week?" I sniffled

"My needle was broken I have to get it fixed"

"Oh, I thought maybe…well, I missed it is all," I said shyly

He sht his hand underently

"Me too," I breathed, and his sapphires began to spin Oh no No voodoo "Hoas Purina? Good? Bet she e

"Why do you keep bringing up Nadia?"

"I heard you on the phone with her earlier Sounded like you wereplans"

"Yes, I met her for drinks"

"Please You expectI was still on his lap

"Ask your cat Did he go crazy tonight?" Si us from the back of the couch

"No, he didn’t, actually"

"That’s because she didn’t cooodbye" Sian to beat so loud there was no way he couldn’t hear it Why did Heart have to be so in to this? "Goodbye?"

"Yep, she’s going back to Moscow to finish her degree there"

Heart settled down a bit "Oh, so you said goodbye because she was leaving, not for any other reason Silly gled

"She’s leaving, yes, but that’s not e said goodbye I--"

I continued to wiggle "Wow, only the Giggler left! And then there was one I guess technically one does notthe load for the others or will you need to be interviewing for some more women? How does that work exactly?" I snapped

"Actually, I’ a conversation with Lizzie very soon as well I think we’re going to be just friends fro me closely "What used to work for me just doesn’t work anymore"

All stop What? "It doesn’t work for you any to believe it

"M down to the skin just belowdeep

Would he notice if I licked his shoulder? Just the tiniest taste?

"Caroline?"

"Yes, Simon?"

"I’m sorry I didn’t play music for you this week I’m sorry that I…well, let’s just say I’s"

"Okay," I breathed

"Can I ask you so?"

"No, I don’t have any zucchini bread," I whispered, and his laugh echoed through the roo with Simon

"Coain,What, what, what? "Are you serious?"

"I’m very serious"