There was a glimmer of hope, for both him and her. She wasn't sure what reaction she'd been expecting, but the shock of his declaration—"I won't give up so easily"—made it obvious that she hadn't expected such words to leave his mouth. Mr. Gladstone was easygoing and friendly and decidedly not stubborn, but it seemed this might be the one issue he was willing to press on. That didn't, however, make the sight of him standing to leave any less heart-wrenching. She'd gone and blown her chances; she was back to square one.

"As I said, I will miss you," she reiterated softly, casting a reluctant, but undoubtedly longing glance in his direction. "Please—take care of yourself."

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