XXXI

~ Amestris' air was chilled. I went from 104˚ to 68˚. Granted I was grateful for the relief it brought on my body and the fact that I actually got a full night of decent sleep for the first time in a month. Even though we didn't pull into Central until late last night, I still feel more refreshed and energized. I believe the station's clock said 11:40…ish? I barely glanced at it before I was mauled by Amy. She was generous enough to have met me at the station to take me to her place for the night and until I find out where I'll be staying.

The rest of my team either had prior arrangements like my own with their own friends or they would be staying at the dormitories. Amy was also an angel and took me to the storage unit that had most of my belongings so I could take a few boxes that had my civilian clothes and other possessions I had been missing over the years. By the time we reached Amy's one bedroom apartment, the clock read 1:14 AM as my head hit the couch and I passed out.

I woke up later than I wanted to find the house empty. I assumed Amy was long gone to work. She left a note saying to help myself to whatever I needed and to find her to have lunch with her and Sofia. I smiled at the note and prayed that I would have the time to do so today. I know my day will be filled with briefings and planning. I was going to get on any case that I could grab. I was ready to work as long and many hours as I needed to. Just because I was back doesn't mean anything would change. I kept telling myself that as I took a lukewarm shower.

Stepping out, I toweled dried my hair that now came down to my hips and changed into my uniform. I tried to convince myself that it didn't matter how I looked. I was going to go about how I normally do; dress the way I've always done and go about my day with no hesitation.

With that in mind, I tried to calm my nerves with the idea of running into him today. I still have no clue if he was even stationed here. I fought hard last night to not bring him up with Amy. I don't want to bring him up with anyone. I will patiently wait for someone to provide me with the information. I will patiently wait.

I repeated that to myself as I locked up Amy's apartment and started my walk to Central. I was surprised by how much has changed but also remained the same. New buildings and business have been built. Some old businesses were now closed for good, and others remained intact. I never considered Central my home. I feel I was never here long enough to become too familiar with it, but it was still familiar enough to bring a small wave of nostalgia.

I finally reached headquarters a bit late which was expected. I ended up getting lost but was lucky that a friendly civilian had nothing better to do this morning than to help me find my way. I waved goody-bye to the civilian with appreciation as I made my way up the never-ending stairs. You would think with alchemy, we could think of a better way than having to climb 200 something stairs. Thank God I was in shape.

"Hey Colonel." I was almost to the top of the stairs when I heard Becker call for me. I turned around, looking the way I had just come to find both Becker and Koch a few steps behind me, fully dressed in uniform.

"Hey." I replied quietly. Despite the hundreds of stairs, I just climbed, I was still fighting off sleep. The late night was finally catching up with me. As they reached the same step as me, I turned back to continue climbing with them.

"You feeling ok?" Becker asked, giving me a once over. Koch leaned over from the other side of Becker to get a quick look as well.

"Do I really look that bad?" My resistance to not caring about my appearance was dwindling fast.

"You look like you had one hell of a night and didn't get any sleep." Koch nodded his head in agreement to Becker.

"I'm pretty sure I did. I went to bed pretty late but as soon as my head hit the pillow, I was out. I woke feeling like I had the best sleep of my life." I don't remember waking up in the middle of the night or tossing and turning. "Do either of you know if Fischer is around?"

"No idea, but I'm assuming she is. Figured she would be the first person here considering how early she always wakes up." Becker said. Koch made a rare, quiet laugh through his nose as he remembered all the early mornings Fischer would wake us all up in some sort of entertaining but also annoying way. We continued on with our conversation and banter as we reached the Command Central building. I couldn't ignore the brick in my stomach any longer. It was go time.

Not giving myself time to think about anything, I entered the building and said good-bye to Becker and Koch, letting them know I'll meet up with them after my briefing. Until then, they were ordered to stay out of trouble. Although, I knew my order didn't mean much. They were always looking for trouble and it never had a problem finding them.

I made my way to the front desk and asked the girl behind it where I could find Mustang's office. She gave me the directions and room number with a cute smile and salute. I returned the salute and wound my way to Mustang's office. I had to climb a few flight of stairs, and halfway down a hallway. When I reached the destined door, I paused to take a quick breath before bringing my knuckles to the wooden door.

"Come in." My lip curved up to one side hearing his voice and the authority it held. I turned the golden knob and pushed the door open to find an extravagant office. Compared to all his other offices, this one was easily doubled in size and so much more elegant. It certainly pays to be higher rank.

I found Mustang at his beautiful, wooden desk immediately and walked right up to it. He had his head down writing something on what seemed to be official paper. Must be an order of some kind? I cleared my throat quietly when he hadn't lifted his head. His hand paused and a smirk crept on his face. He set his pen down and brought himself up to lean back in his chair, lacing his fingers on top of his stomach.

"I was expecting you sooner, Colonel." He said with humor. I had to hold in a snort when I saw the infamous mustache plastered on his upper lip.

"My apologies, General. As I don't have all my belongings yet, I didn't have an alarm to set and overslept. It won't happen again." I made an empty promise. Although I have gotten much better in my attendance, I was still known to show up late. Old habits truly die hard.

"It's good to have you back, Lovington." Mustang said, holding his smirk knowing that I will more than likely end up late again at some point.

"Thank you." I know I'm supposed to say something along the lines of, 'It's good to be back.', but my nerves were telling me they weren't sure if it was. Mustang gestured to one of the chairs that was in front of his desk.

"Let's get to business shall we?"

I was finally exiting Mustang's office and closing the door behind me walking the way I had come over two hours ago. Majority of the time we were bantering with one another. Hawkeye had joined us halfway through. I ended up figuring out that it was only called a briefing for formality purposes. Realistically, we were just hanging out and catching ourselves up with our lives. Also, the lives of the other from the old team. I was surprised to hear that Breda and Catalina were dating. For over a year now. Hawkeye claims they're happy and I believe her. I didn't know Catalina all that well, but the little bit that I was able to get to know her didn't fit with Breda. But I'm more than happy to be proven wrong. Breda was still stationed here along with her.

I was disappointed to hear that Fury was out of town and would be for some time on a mission. However, I was happy to hear that he too was in a relationship. Hawkeye didn't know much about the girl. She's only seen her a few times and they were brief run ins, but she seemed sweet. Sweet enough for our Fury at least. She was a baker at a rather popular bakery here in the city.

There was little news about Falman, as usual. But the few updates they do get from time to time are good ones. He's yet to find a partner but he's not too bothered by that.

As for Havoc…he was out of town until tomorrow but he is stationed here. He had just wrapped up a case in a few towns over and was coming back tonight. He was doing great. He's been promoted and making a name for himself here in Central. I tried my best to keep a poker face and it took everything in me not to ask about his relationship status. I did note that Hawkeye's lips sealed, and she didn't seem to want to give as much information like the other three. That told me it was best to prepare…for the best? It would be for the best if he was with someone. After all, that's what I told him to do. It's what I wanted…right?

I reached the opened door to my new office to find my whole team, Breda included, mingling with one another. The office was set up just like Mustang's old one. I would even argue that this was Mustang's old office. Becker and Koch were on one side of their desk and Breda was on the other side. Fischer was standing at the end, facing me and gave me a smile as she noticed me walking in.

"What are the orders, Colonel?" Fischer asked, cutting off Becker. Becker and Koch looked my way and Breda turned around in his chair to face me with a smile of his own. As I approached closer, he stood from his chair, and I went in for a hug that I didn't think I would need but found out I did. He turned the normal hug into a bear hug and swung me back and forth, squeezing the breath out of me.

"Breda…you're crushing me!" I let out a grunt of a laugh. My comrades looked confused by our closeness. Breda set me back on my feet and gave me a gentle push making me take a step back. His smile turned into a full-blown grin, and I realized that I was matching his with my own.

"It's been a while, Lovington. Or should I say, Colonel Lovington." He mocked. I shook my head and knew that I had to be a shade redder now.

"Shut up before I make you go run 10 laps." He knew my threat was empty.

"So…you two know each other?" Fischer asked, still seeming confused.

"We know each other, alright." Breda said. I went to explain further but Breda cut me off by placing his hand on top of my head and messed up my neat bun. "We used to be on the same team with Mustang years back. She was just a little Major then." I hit his hand away with a playful glare.

"I kicked your ass back then and I can do it better now too." I shoved him hard, but it wasn't enough to make him move back. I smoothed out my hair as best as I could, and I noticed something about Breda. "Have you toned up?"

"Thanks for finally noticing." He teased as he flexed playfully. It wasn't quite noticeable right away as there was no extreme change to him but just enough to know he's not how I remember. "My woman was nagging on me, and I finally asked Havoc to help me out." I pressed down the excitement I felt with Breda giving me the opportunity to bring him up.

"Now you're dating?" I forced myself to veer off Havoc. I know I wasn't going to hide anything from him, but I didn't want to give any hints to my team. Considering Fischer and Becker had been asking certain questions since I've met them. "Next thing you're going to tell me is that you have a kid along the way." I joked.

"Don't even joke about that. She'll hear you and I won't hear the end of it."

"Noted." Gonna keep that in my back pocket for when Breda pisses me off. "How's Fuery doing? I hear he's out of town."

"He's good. Real good. Got himself a woman as well." Breda explained, not knowing that I already knew most of the details.

"My boys are growing up. I'm so proud." I pretended to dab away tears that didn't exist.

"Shut up." Breda bickered.

"Any word from Falman at all?" I asked, hoping he might know more than Hawkeye. Breda shook his head, seeming disappointed.

"It's been a long time since I heard from him, but as far as I know he's doing well up there."

"Good." There's so much more for us to catch up on but I could feel the other three still waiting patiently for us to wrap it up. "Alright, moving forward." I went to walk pass Breda and headed for my desk.

"So, the Colonel can laugh like that?" I heard Becker mumble. He said it loud enough that I knew he meant for me to hear it.

"What exactly does that mean…Lieutenant?" I said with a warning behind it.

"Nothing. It's just weird to see a whole new side to you." Becker replied with an innocent smirk.

"This isn't a new side? I laugh and smile all the time." I turned to face Becker full front and crossed my arms in front of my chest, as if daring him to say otherwise.

"You do it's just…" Fischer decided to step in and save Becker but couldn't seem to find what she was trying to say.

"It's rarely genuine." Koch now intervened Fischer. Both Becker and Fischer nodded their head in agreement.

"Says the one who only has one expression." I shot back to Koch. His expression remained the same. Unbothered. "And it is genuine. You think you know me well enough to know the difference. Guess this just proves that you don't know me."

"After two years of always being around one another, and we don't know you…kinda says something. Doesn't it Colonel?" I shot Becker a warning glare. He said one more thing about this and he would be cleaning Central's toilets for weeks. He only threw his hands up as if to say he won't say another word. Satisfied by that, I moved for my desk.

"You don't want to know about Havoc?" The amused curiosity oozed from Breda's question. It stopped me in place right next to Fischer and I know she caught my raw reaction before I quickly pulled myself back together. Breda had caught me off guard. I almost wanted to ask where his question even came from. We had long passed our conversation. Clearly, he was thinking about it this whole time as to why I didn't ask about Havoc. I turned back to Breda and noticed that Becker was rather curious by Breda's question. Koch was uninterested, as usual.

"I know I'll see him tomorrow. Figured I'd catch up then." I try to say as convincing as possible. I know I can't avoid this…or him. I wasn't trying to…at least I don't think I am? Breda just gave me a knowing look and I ignored that Becker read it just fine. I turned back and for a third and final time, headed for my desk to start tomorrow's plans.

It was finally drawing to the end of the day, and I was practically finished with assembling my office. I was waiting outside now for Amy. I had asked her during lunch if she could take me back to my storage unit so I could grab the rest of my belongings and take it my house that was now ready for me to move into.

Amy mentioned that Jessica had gotten ahold of her and wanted the three of us to get together tonight for dinner. Amy had to turn the offer down, but I couldn't say no. Despite the fact that I had far too much on my plate and had so much to get done in one night. Jessica gave me no choice…as usual. You would think after so long in the military and always being higher rank than her…I would have no problem with telling her no. Although, I did want to see her and catch up in person. She was one of the only ones to keep in contact with me through the years.

I had Amy drop me off at my house with the few boxes I had. I rummaged through them until I found an outfit that was decent enough. A light long sleeve shirt with jeans. I was still getting use to the temperature difference here. I would have to wear my work boots as I'm pretty sure now I got rid of all my civilian shoes since for the life of me I couldn't find a box of them anywhere. I could probably ask Fischer to make me a pair? God knows she's been dying to make me something since the moment she met me.

Amy had given me Jessica's number before she left me alone at the house and I had used it to verify the place and time before heading out. I took my time as I found my way to the café she had mentioned. I decided to sit outside on the patio as the sun was still out to make sure I stayed warm enough.

I skimmed over the small menu they had as I waited for Jessica. I didn't wait long as I saw her approach from the backseat of her parked car. I noticed immediately that she was well along with her second child. She was clearly in her third trimester. She waddled across the street, giving me a quick wave before I stood up to give her a hug.

"Welcome home." She cooed. I only squeezed her closer while making sure to keep her belly safe.

"Congratulations…again." I chuckled as I placed my hands on her stomach for just a moment.

"Thank you." She said tiredly as we sat down together. The waitress brought her out a menu in no time and went over the same specials she just told me. Jessica gave her a quick smile before she left and set her menu down to look me over. "It is so good to see you." She said in almost tears. I couldn't help but give a soft laugh.

"It's good to see you too. You look amazing." I gesture to her in full.

"Yah." She scoffed a laugh as she rubbed her stomach, giving it an admiring glace. "Daniel is a saint and made sure I didn't bring the little one to our date. So, I'm all yours with no responsibilities or distractions." We clinked our water glasses together and continued on with our night. We caught ourselves up with everything from the past two years. Even going over things that we had already told one another. It was hard a few times as Jessica was no longer in the military so I had to keep a few things from her, but she knew and understood.

It was nice to see that she was happy with her new life as a stay-at-home mom. She seemed to enjoy her time with raising her child, soon to be children, but was also overly grateful from the times she was able to get a break. I've heard that pregnant women have a glow to them, but I just knew there was more to Jessica's glow than just being pregnant. Maybe I was wrong though?

"So, what about you?" I blinked a few times, confused of what she was asking me. "When are you going to settle and get out yourself?" I mimicked an uncomfortable laugh as her question caught me off guard. I took a sip from my almost empty cup of tea as I pushed the embarrassment away.

"I think I missed my window on the family life." I tried my best to hide my true emotions behind lighthearted laughter as I set my cup back down.

"What do you mean? Have you not dated anyone in the last four years?" I tried to not let her question bother me, but I was once again being haunted by the smell of cigarette smoke. I glanced over my shoulder to see a woman a few tables away, with a cigarette in between her fingers. Relief that I wasn't hallucinating washed over me as I turned back around to face Jessica's question.

"No. I haven't. It never made sense to me. Why start something when I knew it would only end? I never knew when the next orders to leave town were so…" I left out the part that I would barley give myself any time to go out and meet anyone. I typically drowned myself in my work, but a few times Fischer and Becker were able to draw me out and have me experience the life outside of paperwork and reports. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have had half of the experience I now have.

"Not even within the military?" She arched a suspicious eyebrow.

"No." I replied far too quickly. Jessica was amused by the swiftness in my answer. The fact that Becker had come straight to mind had me throwing up my defensive. "I mean…" I let out a long breath, knowing all too well were this conversation was going to go. "I promised myself I would never get involved with anyone in the military again. Especially those who are on my team. I learned my lesson the hard way, Jess." Her expression told me everything I needed to know to what she was thinking.

"I just don't see how you can start anything with anyone then if you have such strict rules for yourself?"

"That's the point. I don't see a reason to start anything so long as I want to travel. As long as my orders are to go from place to place, why start something that can only end in hurt? Even with someone in the military. How long until one of us gets an order that separates us?" I was surprisingly keeping my emotions in check. I had this conversation with myself hundreds of times.

"I knew it." She shook her head as if she was disappointed. "I was afraid of this." She adjusted in her seat as if she was going to get up.

"What?" She threw me a look as if saying 'what do you mean what'?

"You're still hung up on that idiot." The fact that she was sounding like my mother…

"What? How did you get that from what I said?" I was almost amused with curiosity to how she got to that conclusion.

"I can read between the lines just fine. You're still not over Havoc." She whispered harshly.

"I am over him." Despite the fact that I said it was such conviction, it didn't seem to sway her.

"Oh, you can take that bullshit and sell it to some other fool. It's been years, Abby. You're not 16 anymore. Why can't you just move on?"

"I have moved on." I said it a little too sternly. Her eyes widened from surprise by my tone. I didn't want to get into it. This was the very last thing that I wanted to talk to her about, but I've also been dying to talk to someone about this the entire day! "It's just…hard. You know. You go from being with someone who makes you feel so…complete and safe. You go from everything you ever wanted…and it's just hard to find that again. It's damn near impossible to find someone to make you feel like that again, let alone better." She stayed quiet as I tried to figure out exactly what I wanted to say. "I have moved on…but I told myself if I was going to dive back into any relationship…it had to surpass him. I wasn't going to just settle for the sake of not being alone. Until then, I'm fine on my own." I finished hoping that we could move on from this and onto a better topic than my lack of a love life.

"Uh-huh. Whatever you say." Once again, she made it clear that she didn't believe a word I said. I wasn't going to waste my time and fret over it. If she doesn't want to believe then that's her problem. She waved down our waitress to let her know that she would be needing her check, but there was no rush. It was time for her to go home to her family. "Well since you have completely moved on from him then I guess you won't be phased if I tell you that I think he's seeing someone?" She said as she turned back to me, carefully watching for my reaction. I prayed that I had mastered the art of bullshit enough to hide the jolt of hurt that struck me.

"Is that so?" I said as nonchalantly as I could. I refused to acknowledge it for myself. Her words have no effect on me. At least, that's what I am trying to desperately convince myself.

"Of course, I'm only going off of assumptions. The few and far between times I see him out in public, he seems to always have this little…thing with him." She waved her hand in a motion of disgust.

"Thing?" I half laughed. I admit, it perked my curiosity.

"I don't know. She seems so young. I never know whether to think she's a woman or a girl."

"How young are we talking here?" I know Jessica when it comes to Havoc. She loves to blow things out of proportion.

"I don't know. It's not like I ever walked up to them and asked." She huffed a laugh at the thought of doing so. "If I were to guess from the last time I saw her, I would say…22?" A decade a part? I never took him for someone to date so young. Granted. Jessica could be wrong about them being together…

Not that it matters! Jeez, Abby. I'm not going to put another second on this thought. Even if he was dating someone, it wasn't my business. I'm not going to make it my business. He can date whoever. I never expected nor wanted him to wait for me. That's what I told him, and I meant it…

So why do I feel so disappointed?

"I'll be honest. I'm impressed that you've been able to hold off for so long. Lord knows I would've gone crazy after a month of nothing." Jessica shook her head in bewilderment. I looked at her in amused confusion.

"I never said I never got any." I shared a mischievous smirk. Jessica froze, seeming surprised by what I just said.

"What? Yes you did, you said-"

"I said I wasn't going to get involved with anyone so long as there was a possibility of us being separated. If I knew I was never going to see them again…and if I had an itch that needed scratching…" I sealed my lips together, letting what was implied hang in the air as I finished my tea. Jessica leaned in closer, as I went into explicit detail on my conquest around Ametris and beyond our border. My confidence had boosted in more than one way from in my travels. Granted there weren't all that many…and I did leave out one. Mainly because I couldn't count it as I put a stop to it…

"Here you are and were you wanting your check as well?" The waitress interrupted, asking me, as she handed Jessica her bill.

"Yes, please." It was about time I got back to my new place and unpacked a little more so I could get to bed earlier tonight. The waitress didn't have to leave to get my check as she pulled it out of her apron and placed it in front of me. I pulled out my cash and handed it to the waitress with Jessica following suit.

"I'll be back with your change."

"No need, you can keep it." I let the waitress know and Jessica said the same. The waitress thanked us and wished us a good evening before walking away. Jessica let out a long sigh. "What now?" I shot her an exasperated glance.

"I just wish things worked out better between you and Bowie. I really thought you two were gonna hit it off. I figured we would be doing a double wedding." She pouted. I was baffled as to what brought this up? It was almost out of left field.

"Do not start with that again." I dramatically rolled my eyes at her. "If there is one thing that I learned was that I can't trust your judgement for picking dates for me." I kept my tone in a joking matter, hoping she wouldn't take my teasing so seriously like she tends to do.

"Excuse you? If my husband isn't example enough of my impeccable taste in men, I don't know what is." I couldn't tell if she was trying to joke back with me? Either way.

"Yes, your husband is a prime example…for yourself! I mean…You thought Bauer and I would've made a great couple." I exasperated lightly. She seemed confused by my statement. I could tell she was trying to think or remember something.

"Who?" She finally asked after a moment.

"Bauer." Has she forgotten him? "The idiot who had a crush on me at the Academy and you desperately tried to convince me to give him a chance. Wrote me a bunch of really creepy letters, even stalked me for some time…He had dimples."

"Oh!" Apparently dimples are what flipped the switch for her. "Oh my God, why would you remind me of him?" She unsuccessfully shrank in her chair from embarrassment. I burst out in laughter seeing how red she was turning.

"Seriously. What were you thinking?" I continued to chuckle.

"How was I supposed to know he was so creepy? He was a wolf in sheep's clothing."

"Bowie wasn't any better." I tried to keep the lightheartedness in the conversation as I remembered that Bowie ruined Levy's wedding.

"Yah, yah. I won't bring Bowie up ever again if you promise to never bring up Bauer?" She pointed at me with purpose.

"Deal, as long as you also throw in that you'll stay out of my love life and not try to set me up with anyone." I pointed back halfheartedly. She didn't seem to appreciate my add-on but extended her hand. I took it and we shook, sealing our deal.

I waved Jessica goodbye as her car drove passed me, and I turned down the sidewalk to make my own journey home. My night had turned out pleasant. It was nice to be able to catch up with my friends face to face after so long. I know there would be plenty of others I would need to catch up with but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

I walked passed plenty of shops and boutiques, making a few mental notes for some of them to come back to when I had the time. A small flower shop struck my interest when I spotted a bundle of perfect yellow roses. I stopped to admire them as my heart painlessly ached for my mother. She loved her roses, but yellow was her favorite. I was tempted to buy at least one but kept my sentiment on a leash. I looked back down the sidewalk, thinking I was going to continue on my walk home when I caught sight of him. I made an audible gasp as my heart shot right down to my stomach, taking my breath away. There he was.

The setting sun was to his back as he walked my way. He was facing the person that was walking a long side him, but I paid no attention to them as I was hypnotized by his appearance. He wore his black long-sleeved button up shirt with a pair of dark blue jeans, hands in his pockets. His hair seemed shorter but not by much and he still had his goatee, freshly trimmed. Surprisingly, no cigarette to be found.

It took a moment for the oxygen to return to my head before I realized I only had seconds before he would spot me. Knowing that caused me to panic and I quickly searched for a way to hide. I shot into the shallow flower shop and went as far back as I could. I faced the back wall that had seeds of all kinds of plants on it, with my heart pounding in my ears as I heard them approach the flower shop.

"Oh wow, look at these." I heard a rather high pitched, womanly voice. I took a risk and gently turned my head, just enough to barely look out the big picture window. I held my breath when I saw him standing right out front, looking at whatever the girl he was with was admiring. I could hear her saying something, but I wasn't paying too much attention.

I just quietly, and probably rather creepily, continued to stare at him. He seemed the same but…there was something different about him? His eyes? They weren't as gentle as I have always remembered them. Even when he smiled at the girl. He didn't seem cold, but the warmth that I knew to be there, wasn't.

Those chilled eyes suddenly flicked over to me, and my body went cold from panic as I quickly looked back to the seeds. I wasn't registering what I was looking at. Only praying that he didn't realize that it was me. My heart felt like it was about to jump right out of my chest, and I wouldn't know what I would do, let alone say, if he were to approach me.

"What's wrong? Do you see something inside you want to get?" The girl asked.

"What? Oh, no. I just thought I saw someone…" His voice. I was overcome with emotion when I realized that I had practically forgotten how he sounded. Please. Please just walk away! I squeezed my eyes shut as I begged to the universe.

"Oh, do you know someone in there? Do you want to go say hello?" There was a long moment of silence after the girl asked. I might faint from the amount of adrenaline my heart was pumping through me.

"No. I think I'm just seeing things. You ready? Breda's waiting on us."

"Yah. You sure you're ok? You've seemed rather distracted ever since you've been back."

"Just have a lot on my mind tonight…" I listen to his voice fade away as I stayed were I was. I tried to convince myself that there wasn't an ache in my heart.

"Is there anything I can help you with, miss?" The shop worker came from the front to ask.

"No. Sorry I was just looking. Thank you." I said with a small smile as I headed back to the front of the store.

"Have a good evening." The worker cheerfully said as I headed out. Before I left the threshold, I peeked out to see that Havoc and the girl were well down the sidewalk. His hands were still in his pockets, and he was listening to what the girl was saying. Feeling safe, I stepped out of the shop and continued to stare at him for just a moment longer.

Over him? Talk about the biggest lie of the century. I really thought after all this time...after all the years of convincing myself. I really thought I believed it was true. Jessica and Breda saw right through me.

I turned back down the sidewalk to restart my way home, but my steps were small now. I know this doesn't change anything. I have to get a grip on myself before tomorrow. I need to be able to put any and all emotions to the side. I can do it. I've done it for years now. Any feelings or desires I may or may not have are out of the picture. I can be professional. That's all there is to it. ~

End of Chapter 31

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