He never should have gotten as involved with her as he did. Noble understood this now; he never should have proposed to her. It had always been unrealistic, but now it was impossible, because she would have to give up so much for him and it still wouldn't be enough. "I can't let you do that," he said, "I won't."

She was so close, and Noble edged forward, because he wanted to touch her. "We need to let this go." (This was the closest they'd been in a year. They were alone. He couldn't marry her, but —)

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