Chapter 61. The Space Between Answers

At home, Diana took off the necklace herself.

The clasp caught twice. Gabriel stood in the bedroom doorway, still wearing his jacket. Neither of them seemed able to decide whether ordinary movements would help.

She laid the necklace on the dresser.

“You haven't said anything.”

“I don't want to say the wrong thing.”

“That is becoming the wrong thing.”

He took off his jacket and put it over the chair. Then he sat on the edge of the bed, leaving room beside him.

Diana remained at the dresser.

“When we talked before,” he said, “you didn't know.”

“I still don't know everything. I know I want to talk about wanting it.”

“All right.”

The carefulness hurt.

“You told me you'd imagined a little girl.”

“I have.”

“Has that changed?”

“No.”

“Then why do you look as though I've asked you to leave?”

His face tightened.

She regretted the sharpness, but not the ques