sorry for the late update. between school and work I've been a little busy...but here is a new chapter. Hope you enjoy.

Sauin


I sighed as I removed my apron, not even sure how I had made it through my shift. Memories of this morning had been haunting me all day and I'm surprised that I haven't damaged anything or hurt myself. I know Debbie has noticed that I wasn't quite here today but she respected me by not saying anything. I cleaned up my things from the day and waved goodbye to Debbie. She waved back but unlike before she stayed silent. I left the diner and set out for a walk in order to try and get my thoughts straight. I let my mind drift back to being with Brian in his loft.

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Brian pulled me closer when he noticed I wasn't resisting. My mind yelled at me to stop, that I would only get hurt if this continued. I didn't stop though; I let myself mold against him, hands coming up to rest on his arms. I could feel his fingers push into my hair as my eyes drifted closed. I don't know what I'm doing anymore. I know he'll hurt me if this continues. I can't let myself fall into the pull of taking only what he gives me. I know now why he is hurting from the loss of the two people he had given his heart to. I didn't want to become something to just relieve some pain. If I got anything from him I wanted to try for more.

"I didn't think I was that good. Where are you?"

That snapped me out of my thoughts; Brian was looking at me thoughtfully. I smiled at him but I knew it wasn't a full smile, I couldn't get it to. I had to draw the line with him now if I didn't want to break my own heart.

"I want to continue Brian, you have no idea, but I can't. You're raw from reliving your loss and I understand that you want comfort but this isn't the comfort that I can give you without hating myself." I said gently, preparing for Brian to shut me out.

Brian stared at me and I felt my heart pull at the silence. I bit my lip, swollen from Brian's kiss, before standing. A hand grabbing my wrist stopped me from walking away though. I looked back at Brian and he looked unsure.

"Don't go."

I sighed and sat down, not on the couch but on Brian's lap. I ignored the fact that I could be leading him on but I'm not going to leave him like this, he needs comfort. I wrap my arms around his shoulders and bury my face in his neck. Soon Brian's arms encompass my waist and I could feel his nose against my temple. I don't know how long that we spent sitting there before I remembered I have to go to work.

I told Brian that and for a moment, his arms tightened around me before he let me go.

"Get going then, don't want to be late." he said flatly.

"I'll see you later?" I asked gently.

"You never know Mr. Taylor." Brian responded getting up and disappearing into the bathroom.

I held back everything I was feeling and left Brian's loft.

/

As I realized I was walking towards the park, I changed directions. I didn't want to go back to the place I had began to call home before my life fell into a tv drama. I don't know why it was decided that I would be the one placed into the middle of something that I don't really have the strength to deal with.

"Justin?"

My eyes widened at the voice I hadn't heard in a long time.

"Daphne."