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Cristiano just shrugged He didn’t trust himself to speak He didn’t knohat he’d say, in any case Yes, he’d sworn off love, and for good reason And, although the last week and a half had been the best of his life, he still wasn’t ready to make that kind of commitment to Laurel Couldn’t open himself up to all the risk and pain Did that make hi Solitary

He left his father a short while later, because Lorenzo was clearly tiring, and went in search of Laurel Twilight was settling over the terrace, the air holding a hint of coolness, as Cristiano stepped outside Laurel was standing by the balcony, her hands resting on the ornate stone railing, her face tilted to the last dying rays of the sun

‘You spoke to your father?’ she asked softly

‘You knew’

‘I guessed’ She turned to him, a world of sorrow in her eyes ‘I spend allwith terns’

‘I wish he’d told me’

‘I know’ She race, and put her arms around him For a second Cristiano resisted Part of hi, separate But the pain he felt was too much for him to bear on his own, and the sweet, pliant warmth of her body was the balm he so desperately needed

He pulled her close, burying his face in her fragrant hair ‘I’ve always tried to live ainst her hair, his eyes clenched shut ‘I thought that was the best way to be, and yet now I feel aith regret Too s to feel sorry for To atone for’

‘Regret isn’t a bad thing, Cristiano,’ Laurel said gently ‘It doesn’t have to be about guilt or sha to feel, because it allows you to take responsibility for your actions and make a positive choice for the future’

‘That sounds very wise’

‘I’ve talked a lot to people who are dealing with regrets It’s so you think about as your life comes to an end And,’ she added, a trerets of my own’

He eased back, searching her face ‘What do you regret?’