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Sylvie scooted closer on the couch She reached out, placing her hand on his thigh It was all he could do not to juentle and warm as she attempted to put hi to tell her? He didn’t deserve her kindness and understanding

He ju on the end table “I have to go”

“Enzo, wait” She rushed over to him “I’ive me”

Frustration and guilt churned in his gut “Stop!”

Confusion clouded her eyes “I’s”

“No Stop apologizing You haven’t done anything wrong I have I don’t deserve your sympathy If you knew”

The words hung there The sentence went unfinished because he just couldn’t bring himself to finish it—to ruin the illusion she had of him

“We won’t speak of it any “Let’s sit back down You didn’t finish your milk”

While his body followed her, hisyet anotherone step after the other until he was seated on the couch next to her again

Sylvie reached for heryours before it goes cold It’s not as good then”

He reached for his abandonedThe sooner he finished it, the sooner he could leave and be alone with his thoughts

“If you don’t want to head into the city too alone”

He’d given his word and he intended to keep it “I’ll be ready to go first thing in the ”

“But you’ll be tired—”

“So will you” He wanted her to quit being so nice to him because it just made him feel worse