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‘Only youthe forlorn note in her voice

‘Yes’ She blinked back tears she hadn’t realised had collected behind her eyes ‘Which is stupid because it probably wouldn’t have worked out anyway’ She tried to shten the ainst Sam’s shoulder ‘Why is love so difficult?’

‘Because the human need for connection is so powerful, and soet it Even if the other person doesn’t want the sa’

Sensing that Sa from personal experience andelse, Ruby tilted her head back ‘Has that happened to you?’

‘In a fashion’ His ri up but that didn’t change the way I felt about him’

Ruby already knew froether that Sa accident when Sa ‘Because he died, you mean?’

‘No He was unavailable long before that He had his career and he didn’t need much else’ Certainly not hiure who lived a life far removed from the real world’

‘Did you ever consider following hi like Valentino did?’

Sahed ‘Once But I was told that I didn’t have the reflexes for it so instead I concentrated on my studies I decided if I couldn’t impress him with my physical prowess, I’d do it acades that it wouldn’t work Not even Tino got our father’s full attention and it was clear fro talent I think it’s fair to say that my father wasn’t very family-oriented’

Ruby had had no idea that they shared the si emotionally distant fathers and her arms instinctively went around his waist to offer comfort ‘I’m sorry, Sam I didn’t know’

‘Why would you?’ He smoothed her hair back froe it You just deal with it and get over it’

‘Do you?’ she asked, thinking about herself as e you in ways you can’t reverse?’ Because love wasn’t soet around that Or even if she wanted to

‘Who knows?’ he said, scooping her into his arms so suddenly she squealed

Kong barked, dancing around Sa excitement between them