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"Come on, Tully "

She rolled on to her side and stared at hi her head into her hand

He touched her face in a gentle caress "You and Kate fought about me, and I kno much her opinion means to you "

The words surprised her, though they shouldnt have In the tiun to reveal pieces of herself to hiun accidentally, a co, and sorown froment or censure They were lovers who didnt love each other, and thateasier Still, she sa that hed listened to all of her babble and let the words fore of that h it scared her, she couldnt help being comforted by it

"She thinks its wrong "

"It is wrong, Tully We both know that "

"I dont care," she said fiercely, wiping her eyes "Shes my best friend Shes supposed to support me no matter what " Her voice broke on the last words, the proo

"Shes right, Tully You should listen to her "

She heard so in his voice, a barely-there quaver that made her look deeply into his eyes In them, she saw a sadness that confused her "How can you say that?"

"I in love with you, Tully, and I wish I werent " He smiled sadly "Dont look so scared I know you dont believe in it "

The truth of that settled heavily on her, made her feel old suddenly "Maybe someday I will " She wanted to believe that, at least

"I hope so " He kissed her gently on the lips "And nohat are you going to do about Kate?"

"She wont talk to ainst the cushioned wall of the tiny cubby known as the phone room Shed had to wait almost an hour for her turn on this Sunday afternoon

"I know I just hung up with her "

Of course Tully would call first Kate didnt knohy that irritated her She heard the telltale lighting of a cigarette through the phone lines "What did she tell you?"