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My eyes squeeze shut “Your parents were killed?”

“In a car accident It was a long tiet over that kind of loss So sudden…”

“I’m sorry” It’s the best I can do at this point

She blinks up to me, her blue eyes so concerned Her hair is over one shoulder, rippling in waves over her breast I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than bury et all this shit

“I guess I should go”

“Yeah” I can’t stop her

Only sheway

She closes the space between us and hugsher cheek against , it’s like a sharp knife to my insides This simple act of cos I lifttheood

Holding her unclenches the fist of frustration at leaving ers The soft scent of her hair coolsus in this situation I’ve done everything in my power to protect him from outsiders, others, himself Failure is not a concept I have a lot of experience with

Now this beautiful wo for o

She lifts her head, and her eyes are heated, vulnerable “I wish I could stay You were right when you said it’s not a good idea”

“I could still fire you”

“You don’t have a reason”

“Tennessee is an at-will state”

A hint of a ser along the side of uess it’s your call”