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“We were,” she said quietly

He stared at her “We could have had soreat while it lasted”

“You think that’s fair to Carrie? To bring soet close to theet bored and say adios, then what? You think Carrie isn’t going to suffer?” She stood, leaned toward him “I assure you, Carrie will be hurt by the woo in your life”

“What woo? There’s only been you for months, Natalie There are no other women”

She looked taken aback at his ad wo to Memphis?

“But you’re probably right That’s just onewhere Carrie is concerned”

He’d always thought of hi Carrie’s uncle had been fun He could sweep in, have a good time with her without any responsibilities But he had never been meant to be her father That had been Robert’s place

Only Robert wasn’t here, and Mattheas doing a crappy job of trying to fill his friend’s shoes

He’d liked his life He had liked being a bachelor, being devoted to his career, being a best friend, being an uncle He wasn’t sure he liked anything about his current situation—especially his failing relationship with the woman across from him

“Our ending whatever this is between us now, before anyone gets hurt, is for the best”

Matthew narrowed his gaze “The best for whom?”

“Everyone”

Ending things with Natalie didn’t feel like the best thing Butas best for her

Which didn’t include being raised by so

Teeks had passed since Carrie’s accident Teeks in which Natalie had avoided Matthew asout in her office working on charts