“It’s good to see you.” Mary shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot and her gaze darted everywhere but at Nora.

“It’s good to see you too.”

“I… Can we go somewhere to talk? Please?”

She appeared so small and uncertain, and alarmingly pale. Although Nora’s head screamed at her to run the other way, her heart could not allow it. “Let’s go back to my place.” It was the most private place she could think of, even as her mind reminded her that it also was the most dangerous.

Neither of them said a word on the brisk walk. When they arrived at the Flat Top, Nora checked both sides of the street, then ushered Mary inside as quickly as possible. She closed every blind and locked the front door.

When she finished double-checking her handiwork, she turned around. Mary stood in the center of the living room, tears streaming down her face.

“Oh, my God. What? What is it? Are you ill? Did somebody die?”

Mary shook her head. “I-it feels like we d-died. Like love died. I c-can’t go on like this. I don’t eat, I don’t sleep, I worry constantly that something bad has happened to you.”

Nora helped her out of her coat and led her to the couch. Then she hung up her own coat and joined her, making sure to leave space between them. Mary’s head was bowed and her tears splashed onto her clenched fists.

Nora retrieved the box of tissues from the bathroom and handed them to her. “Look at me.” She lifted Mary’s chin with two fingers and was shocked, at this distance, to see the dark purple circles under her eyes.

You did this to her. A mournful moan caught in her throat. “I’m sorry. I’m sorrier than you’ll ever know. I never should’ve let anything happen between us. I should’ve been smarter and stronger than that. All I’ve done is hurt you.”

Mary shook her head as her lips quivered. “You showed me what love is. I never would’ve known if not for you.”

“I caused you more pain than anyone had a right to. Mary…” She closed the distance between them. Seeing her in such agony pierced her heart and overrode her fears. “I love you. You were right. I loved you from the start. That doesn’t change the fact that this is a perilous path we’re on, and one misstep could mean our ruin.”

“I’m willing to risk it if it means I can be with you.”

“That’s naïve.”

Mary shrugged. “That’s love.”

Nora couldn’t stand it any longer. She wiped away Mary’s tears with the tip of her finger. Mary leaned into her touch, setting off a cascade reaction in Nora’s body.

Want, need, remorse, fear, desire, all warred within her. “I—”