Page 18 of Bryce

“No. I…,”he shook his head.

“Yes, Zahra. Ihate how I left things between us. I have no excuses, just a coupleof reasons. I had the opportunity to leave my unhappiness and go toanother country. It was sudden and unexpected. If you recall, it wasnearing the end of the semester and it was going onto summer break.”

He took a deepbreath, and she waited, unwilling to interrupt him. She had notwanted an explanation, but she supposed it was one way to clear theair and give them a fresh start towards the friendship she was hopingfor. “They confronted me with it. I was leaving the very nextday.

It had been a task toget me into Oxford at such a late date when everything was alreadywrapped up and tied in a bow. But my father had connections, theyboth had, and used them to get me settled. I was to leave immediatelyand that was not a request, it was a bloody order.

It was the way theyhandled things, handled me.” He paused again, a grimnesssettling over his face. “I did not mind. I wanted to go, wantedto get the hell out of that environment. And I bloody well took it.”

She opened her mouthto say something, but he shook his head, unruly dark hair flying. “Itook it,” his deep voice, one that sent millions of womenswooning, lowered, blue eyes shadowed with pain. “I saw a wayout and never thought of you. I wanted to escape, and I did. I wasbloody grateful for the chance to be far away from them.”

He reached for herhand, clasping it tightly in his. “I am sorry, Zahra. Sorry forleaving like that.” He closed his eyes briefly. “Sorryfor never giving you a second thought.”

It hurt, it damn welltore at her heart to hear him say it and it took considerable effortto smile and say what she did.

“It’s inthe past.”

“No. I hurtyou.” His eyes were on hers and she had the uncomfortablerealization that she was not fooling him one bit.

“I got overit.” Her voice was light and deliberately casual. Easing herhand from under his, she picked up her lemonade and took a sip toease her throat. “I would like us to start over.”

His eyes gleamed withhope, one that died when she continued.

“Friends!”

He stared at herblankly. “You want us to be friends.”

“Yes.”She forced another smile. “An uncomplicated relationship. Weused to be able to tell each other everything. Before…,”her voice petered off and she wasn’t sure she could continue.

“Before webecame lovers.”

She had to clear herthroat to get rid of the lump there. “Yes.” She liftedher chin to bolster herself. “But we are no longer desperateteenagers.”

She gestured with herglass. “I am happy and contented. I have found my place in lifeand am grateful. While you…,” her smile was whimsical.“You’re Bryce Whitlock. Actor extraordinaire. It seems wehave both found our places.”

“Zahra…”

“Friends.”Her voice was firm, eyes steady. “That’s the only offerand I would like you to take it.”

He wanted to say somuch more. Because he was feeling so much. He had told her the truthabout never thinking of her when he left. He had been desperate andgrateful for the chance to go anywhere else.

But seeing her hadbrought back the emotions she had stirred inside him when they wereteenagers. But he had hurt her. Had left her alone to deal with herunhappy childhood. She was never going to forget that. And truth betold, he was feeling more than a little guilty and ashamed of howmuch of a coward he had been.

“Yes.” Heagreed with reluctance. “Friends.”

“Good.”She beamed at him, twin dimples peeking out and sending the lustpooling inside his lower body. “Now, I have things to do…”

“Would you takea walk with me, tonight?”

She gave him apuzzled stare.

“Please.”He offered her a winning smile. “You can explain the place tome and point me to the best spots. I have been doing a bit of walkingmyself, but you know the area so much better.”

“Bryce…!”

“From onefriend to another, I am asking you for the favor. A simple walk,Zahra. This

She considered for amoment, while he held his breath waiting. She appeared to bestruggling with the decision, and he could see the uncertainty on herlovely face.

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