Jo knew he missed her — one didn't send drunken letters about tattoos without at least thinking of the person — but she hadn't expected the sharp turn of events. Her response had been equally emotional and vulnerable, and he had answered with such a brisk, distant letter that Jo had briefly wondered if it was him who penned the initial one at all. But now...now he wanted to be friends again? The abrupt turn of events didn't sit well with her, not when she was halfway convinced he resented her.

"Happiness doesn't count for much these days." Jo responded, withdrawing her hand an inch to create some space. "Our friendship caused complications in your marriage — I caused complications. Would she be okay with us being friends again? I've hurt enough people and still am likely to hurt more." Ilona, Zach, now possibly Alfred (again). This novel hunting adventure wasn't guaranteed to work long term, and they still hadn't settled the plan for marriage or not.

She withdrew her hand another inch, breaking eye contact and to look just past his head. "I needed you then. I needed you and you rightfully chose her, I - there's a lot still to be settled and I can't need you again if you can't be there."

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