"Do you love me?"

The words rang in her mind, repeating and overlapping in her surprise. He loved her and she never would have guessed it! Yet how do you tell someone you truly cared for as a friend that you do not love them? How do you do it without hurting them or ruining your friendship? The sad thing she knew that there was no answer to that. You'll hurt them no matter how hard you try not too. "No." She would never forget the look of pain on his face as the words fell from her lips.

"Why?" the cry came from his quietly, "why?" His eyes trembled with tears of sadness, but none fell from his eyes. She turned her face away from him. The truth would only tear him more apart if he knew. :"Why won't you tell me?"

"Sometimes the truth is more hurtful."

"You're in love with someone else, aren't you?"

"Yes."

"Who?"

"You know who it is."

"Why him?" he asked quietly, "I loved you before he ever did."

"He's a good man."

"I…I wish you didn't love him."

"I'm sorry," she replied softly, "I didn't want to hurt you."

"I know you don't, but it still does," he responded, "Perhaps one day you'll see and then…"

"I don't think that will happen."

"I wish it will."

"I'm sorry, but you'll be wishing for a long time then."