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Now that arch is merely in interest with a sensual tilt to his lips

I let him down quickly "Get that look off your face We're just talking"

Throwing a leg over his hips, I straddle his lap so I can look down at hirins at iving in on my "no sex in the apartment while Dad is in residence" rule But then Hawke pulls his hands back and tucks the me a wink "What's up?"

"Dad's been doing really well," I segue into so on my mind

"It's been great," Hawke says, his eyes softening atto be okay"

Now, that I'm not so sure of We won't know until the next MRI, which is week after next That will be the one where they expect to see so to how prior cases have gone It will be e all ofsome feedback on my worries "The next MRI--"

"Will show shrinkage," Hawke butts in confidently

I give him a smile of appreciation for his positivity and nod "YeahI' beyond hope for that"

"Then why does your voice sound all doo out froers with mine, lifts one hand to his mouth, and kisses the inside of my wrist

Shaking loo and Dad is otherwise doing okay, then he won't have another MRI after that for another three o back to Sydney, and ned a six-month lease It's just"

"You're trying to figure out what to do?" he guesses accurately

"I think I should go to Sydney with him, but"

My voice trails off

But what?

But I don't want to leave you, Hawke

But I don't want to quit my job midseason

But I'ained

"But," I continue as I let s about a whole set of new coain Any new job would have to be flexible so I could travel back to Duke with Dad if necessary And what if he takes a turn for the worse? And we've given up our home here?"

"No one said you have to go back to Sydney with hiood and doesn't need care--which let's face it, Vale, he really doesn't at this point--then let hio back home and you stay here with the Cold Fury"

My head pops up, wanting to believe the estion Would Dad be okay on his own back in Sydney? Ihe really needs help with Sure, I cook for him, but that's so we don't starve Dad was never the best cook Otherwise, the infection he had three weeks ago notwithstanding, his physical health is actually pretty good He's even out walking a few miles each day

"Stay here?" I ask, just to clarify what Hawke is saying Or lean if there is any vested interest on his part

"Why not?" he throws back with a sht? Like the area?"

I nod, because it's all true

"You like rin, and his hands drop ainst the denihs

With an exaggerated eye roll, I lean over and give hiuess I kind of like you"

"Oh, you like o aroundmy neck