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Stella had loved Mac Taylor for a long time. They had worked together for almost fifteen years. For the first several years he had been married. In fact, Mac's wife had been one of Stella's best friends. But when Claire died and Mac had almost fallen apart Stella had been there to hold him together. Pouring phileo into his cracks. Eventually that phileo became agape with a strong tinge of eros.
It was hard to wait, hard to have patience. There were times that she just wanted to grab him and kiss him until both were senseless from lack of breath. But she couldn't. He wasn't ready. If she did act on impulse, out of impatience, there was a strong possibility that she could lose him forever. Not just as a lover but as a friend. And she'd rather love alone and have her best friend than rush him and lose him.
So she waited.
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