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"We don't get to choose e fall for," I murmur

His look to , because Zack knows thatpreach it"

--

I'ht nehen Hensley co roolance, and then do a double take She's dressed in one of my old T-shirts that she must have kept after I moved out, and that's all While the shirt co, it still hits only at the top of her thigh

I roll my eyes with irritation, because it's inappropriate

She ignores it and says, "Thank you again for letting ht"

I shrug and turnie I leave so early tomorrow that it's just easier this way"

Walking into the kitchen, I can hear her following behind nore her as I put the bottle into the recycle bin and move to the dishwasher It's becoo to bed

"It was odd that Miss Brannon came by the house today," Hensley says conversationally She's moved to prop herself up on one of the kitchen stools that sits at the center island

My shoulders tense but I'lasses to cabinet coversa concerned boss"

She doesn't say anything so I think the subject is closed However, shecutlery into the draithout separating it

"How is it having a feer?" Hensley asks curiously

I slam the drawer shut a little harder than normal "Look, Hensleyyou and I don't irls if you want, but my career and job are off-limits Small talk with me is off-limits"

Fuck, that was harsh

And I didn't hter is lying upstairs with a broken ar inaround in one of my T-shirts, and I'm irritated as shit that the wo around in one of my T-shirts

"Patric duo absolutely still

"Dumped you?"

She nods and looks at uess"

I' to hell because part of me wants to ask her how it feels, but the more mature part wins out "I'm sorry"

"No, you're not," she says simply "You knew this would happen You knew that train wreck of a relationship was never going to work in the long run I destroyed our e because I was vain and flattered by his attention, and I gave up everything to chase it"

I'm stunned by her words She sounds hurt, ashamed, and lost For a brief moment, I have a connection with her, because I kno that feels

I kno she fucking feels and I hate that it gives us co aboutto consider Hensley in any forood mother to our kids But you can't be married to soree of care left Despite all the pain and betrayal, I never want to see Hensley hurt

"I really aain "You don't deserve that"

Hensley pushes up off the stool and walks around the counter to me Her eyes are serious, her sht up to me and places a warm hand on my chest She looks up at me and whispers, "I do deserve it, whichyou to perhaps consider trying to work things out between us"

I stuuilty as shit

Guilty if I in any way led her on to believe I'd want that, and now all of a sudden guilty I' a woman stay in s for another woman

"Hensley," I say with a degree of moderate chastisement "We're divorced"

"No, we're not," she says calally married"

"Maybe legally, but not emotionally"

"If you could just learn to forgive h this," she says with urgency She takes a step closer and I hold my hands up

"Just don't," I tell her "This isn't a conversation I want to have right now"