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“You’re not leaving already, are you?”

Abby ca her skirts in her hands as she quickened her step A few strands of hair had co her face and ured a wo to be sexy sie clothes All it did was make Tom want to reveal as beneath—button by delicious button

“Things are starting to wind down,” he observed

“But…”

“But what, Abby?”

If she wanted him to stay, he wished she’d just say it Ever since the day at the hospital she’d been toothachingly sweet, pleasant, and iht once or twice that she’d siether and that the sorry truth was she didn’t need him anymore House fixed, family mystery solved, thanks for your help, bye

“Will you stay?”

“Why?”

The question put her off balance, he could tell A strange look passed over her face as she deliberated her answer After several long seconds, he huffed out a sigh and turned on his heel

“I knoas you who put a bid on the house,” she said

He paused “You weren’t supposed to know that yet”

“Were you planning on tellingit a secret?”

He turned to face her, ignoring the curious stares of theaway silver platters and dirty china cups He kept his voice low but each as perfectly clear “What does it matter? You wanted to sell the house and I offered for it A solution I suggested fro, if you remember”

“Is it really only about the house for you?”

Daet him to say? “Can we shelve this for another time? When it’s more private?”