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Zoe shook her head, but knew better than to co "Why don't you sit, Mo security at a show tonight" Zoe's company, now officially na and doing extre business "Since when do you keep tabs on me?" Zoe joined her mother on the couch and settled in beside her

"I just worry about you"

Zoe leaned her head on her ain "And I love that you care" She curled her legs beneath her, allowing exhaustion to take over "But you knoork long hours and you know not to worry So ait up for entle hands "Because your heart is hurting That's what I'm so concerned about"

Zoe shook her head, her denial auto She'd been hoet anything about Ryan and their ti hers and how his very presence reached her on a deep, intimate level

"Baah You miss him" Her mother had always been able to read her well

She could no longer lie to herself, nor did she want to "Of course I do, but that doesn't ht for each other" She bit down on the inside of her cheek, but her words were even ht for each otherher hand over her daughter's hair with soothing strokes "Do you love hie that we live rounds are completely opposite"

"So? Does he eat with his hands or does he use a fork?"

Zoe laughed "Too s and who you are as an individual?"

Zoe nodded, knowing her mother would feel her reply even if she couldn't put it to words

"Has he tried to change you?" Elena pushed on

"No," she whispered, her wordsshe feared

"I see," her s won't work Ryan Baldwin is an awful, awfulonce more Her mother knew just how to twist a point in order to make her own, and she'd just cornered Zoe with her oords

And Elena wasn't finished yet "On top of everything, you're willing to trust him with our Samantha" She paused on purpose "And yet you refuse to trust hihter?"

Zoe sighed and closed her eyes How could she explain her deepest fears? "Ryan s and say he loves all s, but eventually we'd clash on issues Important issues"

Her ue After all, common wisdom says opposites attract, no?"

"Opposites divorce, too," Zoe re at reasons to run away from him because you're scared"

"Of?" Zoe asked, affronted her

"Of love" Her mother's voice dropped, her sadness and disappointood exa for Elena's hand and holding on tight "Of course you and Dad set the best exaain, Zoe thought Intense Extreme She on one end of the spectru them