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He has a point, and I don't like it, because I don't like anything about Hawke being back in uilt and heartache back to life My heart is already full to bursting orry and dread; I don't have room for all of the emotions that co to me

"Fine," I say, my voice heavy with exhaustion "You're concerned about hi contact with old friends"

Nothe sarcasm in my voice

I turn to the refrigerator and pull out a protein shake I keep stocked It won't satisfyAs I twist the cap, I notice Hawke lean back against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest

"Why are you so angry with me?" he asks softly "I'm not the one that abandoned first"

My eyes widen with surprise even as guilt flushes through ht, I'm the one that cut ties, but surely he has to admit that I tried to rectify

No, waitdoesn't matter What's done is done

"Listen, it's late for et a shower, head to bed," I tell him firmly as I move past him

His hand shoots out, lands on ers curl in to stop me, and I hate the sudden flash of euphoria over his touch That shouldn't happen I should never feel that way from one simple touch

"Why, Vale?" he whispers, his eyes hard yet filled with need

My breath seizes inup my most basic need to survive I s hard, suck in deep through my nose "Why? You want to knohy now?"

"Yes," he grunts with exasperation

More hot anger flashes through y "Maybe you should have asked why back when--"

The sounds of Pharrell Williaenerally puts a smile on my face The nition that I forgot to call Todd again

I pull away frorasp and pull ive hilance as I connect the call and put it to my ear "Hi, honey," I breathe into the phone "I'm so sorry I didn't call"

My eyes slide to Haho lowers his arm and drops his face to look at the floor A muscle ticks in his lower jaw

"Hey, sweetie," Todd croons at h day?"

"You have no idea," I tell him as I push past Hawke and walk back to my bedroom

"It ht now, huh?" His tone is light, but I don'tcensure

"It's been nonstop since five am," I tell him defensively as I step into my bedroom and shut the door behind me

"You're working too hard," he says pointedly

Well, there's a news flash

"Yeah, well, soe ofater stains indicating the apartment above me at some point had a leak "And until I win the lottery, wellthis is just the way it is"

"I can send you money," he says automatically, and it's a rote offer, because we've had this conversation before

Too many times

"You know that's not an option for me," I remind him

Todd blows a pained gust of frustration into the phone and then lets out a long-suffering sigh I roll my eyes, curious as to why he feels affronted overbetween us one way or the other

At least on my part

On his, I'ether Almost as if he wants to tieto happen

I feel bad thinking these things about him

Todd Walters has been in o while I orking in Columbus for the Ohio State Buckeyes He's a dentist and works for a large practice specializing in sedation dentistry Wespring training practice and I was tasked with driving hiency repair The poor kid was so terrified he insisted we go somewhere that would knock his ass out, and thuswith Todd By the time the tooth was repaired, I'd accepted his invitation to coffee because he was cute and char and I was lonely