>     Jules sighed and kissed her back. She rested her forehead against Mari’s and closed her eyes. “I know you will. It’s not that I don’t love you or need you, it’s just that—”

     “Hey. Shut up, okay? You don’t need to bother with explaining it more. It’s not about me. I just want you to be okay.”

    “Yeah, sure. Okay. I am okay,” Jules said as she grabbed the laptop and booked a nine-a.m. flight. 

     Mari sat beside her and rubbed her back. “Saying that a lot won’t make that so, sweetheart.”

     “Of course it will,” Jules said. She tried to wink at Mari and half-smiled. “How long have you known me?”

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