When love cost me You
m. She was graceful, intelligent, and had a quiet strength that drew him in. At first, thei
ntagious, and how she carried herself with confidence yet remained humble. Unlike the women he
h her, the more certain he
feeling th
e way she laughed a little longer at his jokes. Yet, there was als
the study, swirling the coffee in his
things official with L
rk, studying his son with a knowing expr
rked. "You
Not at all. Lilian is a fine young woman. Hardworking, resp
hings I like about h
Raymond. A relationship-especially one in the same workplace-requires commitment. She's a
't know yet. But I do k
ing. "Then do it right. Be clear with your intentions.
t need any mo
ade up h
ound Lilian in the school g
een thinking hard about
a seat beside her. "I h
ked in surp
like you. More than just a friend or colleague. And I don't want
ed at him. Then, slowly, a
ious?" she
er
weighing her options. But when she met
ve something to tal
d. "I'll take
e, side by side, Raymond felt a s
just the
ust friends-but something about the situation felt heavier than it should. Maybe because, deep down, she had
ipping through a book absentmindedly. He glance
You look like you ha
exhaled
his book do
rcing herself to meet his gaze. "Ray
ut his face gave away nothing. "Oh,"
llowed. "I
a beat o
her a small, unreadable smile. "That
th her, but she chose to ignore it. She ha
" she sa
again, but she noticed h
, sitting across from Annie. She had always been a good
ring her tea. "What'
a hand through his hair. "Lilian
brow. "And how do y
laugh. "Like an idiot. Like I sh
r chair, watching him c
," Dennis muttered. "
u knew this could happen.
ad time," he a
"Love doesn't wait, De
, feeling the weight of her
five years but she knows exact
e listened to
ll open up
e it's
tched,Annie's husband drove off