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I sip lass of water as he stares at s to say, discarding thee the last six years? I s, blink, and then say the only thing I can think of "Hello Ben"

He srabbing hold of a fresh log that works its way across his face lighting up everything around it Does he know he's striking a pose or is he just naturally this graceful?

"Been a long time," he says

"Yeah," I reply

Great conversation here We can't even do s pause Is he as nervous as I am? Is he pissed? Does he hate me?

"Why are you here?" I blurt out

He looks surprised and his expression turns dark His smile fades "Mom's lawyer is supposed to stop by"

Silence sits heavy between us I wait Then wait some more

"Well, there's business to take care of here," he says at last

"Oh, I see Well" I push off the counter and start towards the bedroom "I promised Dad I'd sort all of your mom's stuff for you"

I start past hih without touching hiress The intoxicating scent of him fills my nostrils

"Ben, let me by"

He stares down at me and I look up at him defiant I bite the inside of my lip to stop the quiver that threatens It takes all my will to stare into his eyes, to not reach out et that, he chose to leave, I didn't

He drops his arm and I push past him

Chapter three

The front doorbell rings so I go that way instead of back towards the bedroo there with his briefcase

"Hello Victoria," he says s

Mr Morian's an olderbut with a nice smile and a round jovial face He was my step-mother's lawyer for years and years so he's been to our home many times

"Hello," I say giving him a return smile

I feel Ben walk up behind me more than I hear him My head aches as my shoulders tense

"Oh good, you're both here," he says seeing Ben "I need to go over soo into the den? There are soo over"

Specifics? What does that mean? If I'e Dad doesn't have any h school I'd already considered that she htet a job