"No, it doesn't" he stated immediately, meeting her demanding question with a rather uncharacteristically firm answer of his own. After he'd said as much, Zach faltered and returned to twirling his watch chain in his fingers. Had he been too forward?

When Jo's whispered plea met his ears, his indifferent mask crumbled. Her tone had him stepping forward and instinctively reaching out for her hand, but he only allowed his fingertips to brush hers before drifting away. "Jo, I--"

I'm sorry. I love you. I don't want you to leave. I hate this rift we've planted between us. I want to be a we again.

"I didn't mean to upset you."

What was it she was pleading? Were they now beyond repair?

Merlin, please not that.

"Jo..."