****

Neither Amanda nor Frank said anything as Sasche got up and left them to talk. Frank took her seat and stared at Amanda.

"You tried calling?"

"Yes, Alex told me repeatedly that you didn't want anything to do with me."

"And you believed that?"

"How could I not when you haven't called me?"

"There are times, Frank, that you are as dense as you are handsome."

"Amanda..." His sentence was interrupted by the waitress putting down a basket of bread and smiling sweetly at Frank.

The noise in the diner seemed to settle down a bit enough for them to hear the jukebox as it played an old blues tune...

'Hold me close and hold me fast
The magic spell you cast
This is La vie en rose'

"No, Frank. I've had enough. I told you not to lead me around and you did. I can't take it. Have a good life Frank. I'll do my best to fulfill your wish for me to forget you." She stood up and walked towards the door, leaving him staring after her.

'When you kiss me heaven sighs
And though I close my eyes
I see La vie en rose'

"Damn it Amanda Singer!" He bolted up from the table and caught hold of her before she reached the door. Right there in front of the entire restaurant, he pulled her into his arms and crushed her against him with a searing kiss.

'When you press me to your heart
I'm in a world apart
A world where roses bloom'

The patrons whistled in awe as they watched. Amanda didn't fight the kiss, nor did she encourage it. She froze in his arms. She couldn't let him do this to her again.

Frank pulled back, his fingers drifting down her throat slowly. His dark eyes searched hers for anything that said he wasn't too late.

"I.. think it would be best, Mr. Donovan... if you let me go right now." she whispered.

"Amanda, please don't. I need you more than I realized. I love you." He nuzzled her cheek softly, his voice dropping to a low whisper. "Please stay."

'And when you speak... angels sing from above
Everyday words seem... to turn into love songs'

Amanda couldn't look him in the eye. She pulled her arms from his and turned around. She hadn't opened the door before the first tears spilled down her cheeks.

"Amanda..."

She couldn't do this... By the time she made it to the corner she was blinded by tears. She'd just walked away from the man she loved more than life itself. All she could think of as she headed to her rented car was that he didn't follow her... He said he loved her, but didn't follow her. He said he needed her, but made no effort to make her stay beyond saying please.

'Give your heart and soul to me
And life will always be
La vie en rose'

--

- song titled "La Vie en Rose"... not sure who sings it or who the rights belong to.

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