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She closed her eyes, hoping

all the warning bells sounding in her head rong

“The past feeeks have been strained”

He had no idea

“You’ve avoidedto keep her earlier defensiveness frooing on between us, Ada, just tell ht” She gulped “If you don’t want to ure that out, too Just tellon so I can understand”

His frustration beca, she knew he raked his fingers through his hair It’s what he did when searching that genius mind of his for a solution to a problem

Unfortunately, she was the problem

Although she wanted to hang onto her faith in his feelings for her like a protective shield, she felt loss prickling at her soul, robbing her strength to hold herself together

No No No She would not cry She wouldn’t

“Liz, I… You…” His voice broke, as if he was struggling as much as she was As if he battled within himself and didn’t kno to deal hatever ailed him

She glanced up, needing to see as on his face, in his heart, because for the life of her she just didn’t understand as happening between them

He’d jerked away from her touch

“Aw, Liz, I can’t do what I caled words he took her hands, pulled her to her feet and into his arive me,” he whispered into her hair, “but I just can’t”

Can’t what? she wondered, ht, closed his eyes and nuzzled her neck, inhaling her scent Held her like he’d missed her every bit as much as she’d missed him, maybe more

“Liz,” he moaned “My sweet, beautiful Liz”