Finally, she looks up at me.
Her face is circumspect as she says, "Is that it?"
It feels like the floorboards have fallen away beneath my feet. She wants more.
"I didn't just lie about my feelings, I lied about my family too. They miss you, so much. Alice was irate with me I made her stay away, not look for you."
I'm trying to breathe around the acrimony eating away at my throat.
"I can't even begin to apologize for my greed, or ego." I try swallowing again, but I'm bone dry. "I love you."