page69 (2/2)

“Thanks, Dad I want the same for you”

When we break apart, I put my hand to his chest and ask, “How are you, Dad? I ? You work so much and I hardly see you, but—”

“Brooke,” he says, cuttingthis job,away from New York—I didn’t know it at the time, but I really needed it”

My body practically deflates in on itself, lad to hear that”

“I feel a little guilty, though,” he ad back to his desk chair I think putting the desk between us is a sign of his vulnerability right now

“You shouldn’t,” I tell him

“I feel like I’ your mother behind”

“Never,” I tell him “She’ll always be in your heart Always”

He nods at me, but seeardless, he’s told me that he’s happy here, and that’s all that rief, but at least he has things giving hiht now, and that will help to make it bearable

When I return to the administrative offices, I’rab a cup of coffee and a cinna ry when I first wake up, and then I’healthy to eat, but daood and I work out regularly, so I can afford some cheats a few days a week

I take my coffee and roll to my office, and while oes into the trash can and I lick the icing that got on ers, which is stupid, since I then just pick up the roll and get gooey stuff all over me

Just as I have my mouth open at its widest point to take a bite, there’s a quick knock onthere

I snapanother to wipe off unk off, but they remain sticky