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Then said, “I—”

24

“You don’t have to say anything,” Da her off Before she uttered another word Before she even drew in another breath “All you have to do is understand, accept… No, not even accept what I’ve just told you Just…try to understand it”

He stepped away froan to pace Then he pulled up short and abruptly turned to face her

“I’s more difficult for you, to complicate matters further,” he told her, earnestly “But you deserve honesty, Nikki You deserve forand transparent with you Unfortunately, that does lead to things being more difficult, more complicated”

“I don’t think you’re trying to deceive me, Da this new developer for me”

“And I would do it again and again, Nikki,” he vehemently avowed

“I know you’re not trying to hurt ood conscious, allow myself to believe that you purposefully put my memories ofthat means so much to me…unless you absolutely had to”

“I—”

She held up a hand to stop him Took a sip of her cocktail Then said, “You’re not a pettyfeelings for me”

His brow ju it mildly

“Sos are related to the scenario we’ve found ourselves in, the jeopardy we’ve been in—are still in”

Now, he set aside his glass and folded his arms over his chest and smirked at her

“I’htfully asserted “I’er drink from her own tumbler

He could use a good swig himself But he remained rooted where he stood