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“You kno sicka different approach

Mia nodded slightly

“The trial I told you about? It costs a fucking fortune to keep her in that Not toher live at the facility she’s at That is why I do what I do Or did”

“Did?” Mia repeated uncertainly Her index finger tapped lightly on the table as she waited for an answer

“I’hed God, she was pushy “Mia, I like you a lot Things werefor you, but I had to keep working, and you kept sendingwith Melinda happened it just sort of exploded in hed “My point is, I don’t knohat I would’ve done if I had to choose between you and helpingto be another job that would’ve paid enough to cover what I needed it to—”

“Then what is there to talk about, Coop?” she interruptedthat, and I don’t think it’s fair of you to ask me that”

“I’d never ask that of you,” I cried,for hers “Will you please just letto tell you is, I quit I a withomen”

“You quit?” she said softly “What about your mom?”

“So I never have to worry about again,” I explained, sin to describe the e it all: anxiety, happiness, fear

“Someone?” Mia said flatly “And by ‘someone,’ you rowl “Why not one of them, Coop? Why me? I’m sure they could make you much happier than I—”

“Because it’s you I want, not them!” I exploded

Right at that moment the door opened, and in walked three very surprised looking wo out of the rooroaned, and rubbed my forehead

“Coop, I have to get back to work” She spoke quietly “I need time to think”

“Coht?” I pleaded

“I don’t know I need to think” She stood up, pushing