After dinner, Victoria pushed the armchair close to the window and opened her book.

"I'm sorry it isn't your balcony." Conrad had meant it but she assumed he was being sarcastic.

"It's fine, Conrad."

Victoria went back to her book, but Conrad couldn't tear his gaze away. She crossed her legs, which enhanced the slit in her nightgown. She wiggled her foot and Conrad was mesmerized by the way her manicured toes jiggled around. But mostly, he was fascinated by the way her eyes lit up at certain parts of her book and the way she'd smile or frown as she read. Her reactions made him wish she was reading aloud so he could be a part of whatever was affecting her so deeply.

"You're gawking," she said, closing her book to look at him. He stuttered for a moment, unable to speak. He hadn't anticipated her calling him out on it. Usually she just let him watch her.

"My dear, you look exquisite. I couldn't look away." He was being honest but she didn't believe him. She never did.

"Well it's impossible to concentrate with you staring like that. Now I have to find something else to do."

"I'll stare no matter what you pick." She rolled her eyes, but was secretly agitated. She hated that he held so much power over her. He could make her feel so high one minute and so down the next. Most of all, she hated that she couldn't turn off her feelings for him, despite her many attempts. Dramatically she threw herself on the back, lying flat and staring at the ceiling.

"We could watch a movie," Victoria finally suggested. She hadn't anticipated wanting to spend time with Conrad. She couldn't be sure if she was bored enough to want his company or if once again he had gotten to her. She kept telling herself it was merely boredom, but either way she was nervous about the rest of their stay.

Conrad flipped through the channels, stopping on an old movie. Victoria was surprised by his choice.

"A place in the sun. Your favorite, right?"

"I can't believe you remember that, Conrad. "

"Of course I remember. You had the flu and were stuck in bed for days. We must have watched it a dozen times."

"And all I could stomach was wonton soup."

"One of the only times you've I've seen you eat Chinese!" They both broke into a fit of giggles as he joined her on the bed. He pulled her down so her head was rested on his chest.

"We did have some really great times, Vic." He said. Both of them were quiet for a moment, letting their current relationship sink in.

"Do you think we'll ever be like we used to be?" Victoria asked, but Conrad had thought the same.

"I don't think I'm the one to ask. I never thought we would be where we are now."

"Me either. I wish we could go back to how we used to be." Victoria said before she could stop herself.

Conrad stared at her a moment, dumbfounded. Had he imagined her saying that? He had spent years wishing she would want him as much as he wanted her.

"Let's do it!" He said.

"Do what?"

"Let's go back to how we were."

"It's not that simple, Conrad."

"It is. I love you. Always have. Always will. I like to think you loved me once-"

"I did. You know I did."

"So why can't we just pretend that things didn't change?" His voice was so hopeful that it broke her heart to think of saying no.

"Conrad, please don't do this..." Victoria slowly started to rise. She couldn't stop the tears from falling and she wasn't fast enough to move away from Conrad. He immediately jumped up, grabbing her waist with one hand and wiping her cheeks with the other.

"What?" He asked gently.

"I can't do this again, Conrad."

"Why?"

"Because you always manage to break my heart."