page12 (1/2)

"I have no idea" My voice is heavy and defeated,to pull away from Owen's pressures "Our relationship was lukewars all the way I wouldn't Pretended to hold out for e because I just wasn't attracted to him in that way How fucked up is that?"

"Sounds alhtfully

"I just don't know Stepping away fro distance between us--I look back on it and it just seems surreal Like that really couldn't have beendown the aisle with someone I didn't really love"

"You were doing it to protect your parents," Josie reently

"They would be so disappointed init" They never had a clue

Josie reaches out and takesit a quick squeeze of affirs stand noith them?"

"Owen gavedone, and he's accelerated ain"

"Marek would--"

"No," I say with a hard shake of my head "He doesn't know and I don't want hiet into thatLilly froht now"

I can tell by the look in her eyes she wants to argue with oodness of his heart And maybe he would offer to help ht to expect anything of hihter

"Howto accept my rebuff of Marek

"Just a little under fifty thousand," I tell her, then take in a deep breath "So back to your original question about the jobyes, I'm interested With a salary, perhaps I could work out some type of payments with the bank on their behalf It wouldn't beexpenses--rent and such here--butinto default"

"That's definitely a good thought," Josie says, but I can tell by the tone of her voice she has a better idea "Or, you could just stay here at Marek's rent free and let him continue to pay expenses Then you'd have more money to offer the bank"

"I don't know if that's a good idea," I lass

"Why not?" Josie asks with dogged deter abusive to you, this is a good environives Marek ive you the opportunity to help pull your parents out of trouble without having to sacrifice yourself to that jackass you were going to marry or involve Marek any further"

She has a daood point For the first ti of the ever-present tightness that's been in et out fro hurt at all

I look to Josie with a s form on my face "Well, then, yes I'm very interested in the job"

"Perfect," Josie says, and picks up her wineglass She holds it out to ainst it

I take a sh "I can't believe how ht now I mean, I know I don't have the job, but I do have a plan at least"

"That's the spirit," Josie says with a chuckle "But I'll put in a very good word for you"

Setting lass down, I turn more fully to face Josie The somberness in my voice reflects just how serious I a me with a job It's more than I could have ever expected from such a new friend"

Josie's eyes twinkle with fondness "You and I have a lot in common I knohat it's like to have your heart broken by a man who leaves you I knohat it's like to carry that around"

"What makes you think my heart has been broken?" I ask her curiously I haven't told her any of my history with Marek

"I recognize it," Josie ?"

I shake my head with a sad smile

"Well, I also know that the pain can be overcoht type of man"

"Reed?" I take a very good guess

"Yes," she says with a nod "Now that's an interesting story, which I'll proceed to tell you over chocolate"

I laugh and turn back totime "Deal"

Chapter 9

Marek