She would not cry! She refused. Valiantly Sisse widened her moistened eyes, her fists tightening until she could feel the nails tugging in to the soft flesh of her palm. She had determined to return their friendship to normally but she didn't want it because of his pity.

His hands on her shoulders reminded her of the tenderness he'd treated her with that fateful night. And then horror dawned on her as she heard his words, eyes widening further. She wanted to reach up and brush the tear she felt quivering on her lashes but she was too scared to move his arms away from her. It was silly, but she felt she could not continue without that particular kindness.

"No." The words whispered out of her in horror. "Not mad." She shook her head vehemently. And then she flushed as she realized the truth was already spilling past her lips. "Waiting for you." How foolish she had been. He'd never say anything. But.... her mind was rolling through questions faster than she could think them all her focus on Lester's face.

She should never have said anything at all. She should have known better than to think it had meant anything. And yet she hadn't. She shouldn't have even let him kiss her back in that corridor. Anger at herself was sharp and painful and the first angry tear slid off her lashes and on to her cheek.