Ch. 20: Don't Forget To Breathe

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     Betrayal was the worst conductor of pain.

     No wonder JR suggested they have breakfast at a hole-in-the-wall diner in the valley, one she would never return to and associate with painful memories, and no wonder he suggested they drive separate cars. At first she suspected he had to run to a morning meeting after breakfast, but now she realized that he was giving her an exit.

 At first she suspected he had to run to a morning meeting after breakfast, but now she realized that he was giving her an exit

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     The puffy ribbons over her hot chocolate hypnotized her, but JR's words stung in a numbing way, making her drink less appetizing

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     The puffy ribbons over her hot chocolate hypnotized her, but JR's words stung in a numbing way, making her drink less appetizing.

     The puffy ribbons over her hot chocolate hypnotized her, but JR's words stung in a numbing way, making her drink less appetizing

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     JR didn't move his hands from the top of his head as he wrinkled his forehead in anguish. "When I realized it was wrong, I ran out of there and went straight to your apartment, but I swear, Billie and I didn't do anything."

     The nerve endings in her toes stopped working, and her mouth stopped producing saliva. "But you almost did."

     JR reached for her hands across the table. "Yes, we almost did, and you don't know how sorry I am."

     Delilah pulled them away before his slime got on them, as even his apology annoyed her. He had guts coming forward with his blunder, and even though it was a commendable start, it didn't make the betrayal feel any less destructive.

     It was a mistake to ask, but she couldn't help it. "Why?"

     JR's sighed. "I was insecure, I guess. I thought that... I don't know."

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