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Warrick rubbed his forehead His fingers burned as the circulation returned Terrell and Celeste Devry had warned their daughter againstWarrick said or did would change theirthee transcripts Luckily, his in-laws hadn’t been able to change Marilyn’sthe cere

He dropped his hand Warrick ached as his gaze lifted to Marilyn’s profile Her glea mass of dark hair ept back and restrained at the nape of her neck with her usual clip thing Warrick wanted to release the device and draw his fingers through her hair He wanted to pull her into his ar since he’d held her

He released his grip on the kitchen counter and stepped forward “I miss you, Mary”

Her wide eyes were filled with sadness and confusion—and it was all so pointless

“I miss you, too” Her voice was husky

Relief rushed hi him back on his heels Warrick closed his eyes briefly She still cared He had reason to hope “Then come home”

Marilyn shook her head, her expression miserable “It’s not that easy, Rick”

He net He wanted to bury his head against her neck and inhale her fragrance—jas her scent as he fell asleep at night and woke in the

Warrick studied her features one by one—high forehead, short nose, sharp cheekbones, sexy lips, stubborn chin

“Do you love me?” His voice was a whisper

Marilyn dropped her arms “Of course I do”

His heart healed “And I love you It isn’t any more complicated than that”

Her rich dark eyes searched his “But it is I don’t like opening the newspaper or logging on to the Internet and finding stories speculating about our h for you I don’t like people attacking you and questioning your character”

“It doesn’t matter what other people think All that matters is e know, and I know that I need you in my life”