Zachary frowned deeply. "Who told you all this?"

    "Who else but your childhood sweetheart?" Sarah scoffed.

    "Sarah, none of that is true. You should know how I feel."

    Sarah''s eyes glistened with tears. "No, I don''t. Have you said these things to Vivian? Or do you only say them to me?"

    "I made things clear with her in Saint Nock. She must have been upset when she went to tell you those things."

    Sarah nodded. "But our problems have nothing to do with her. I hope you understand that."

    Long before Vivian''s revtions, she had already lost faith in Zachary.

    Zachary''s initial optimism hadpletely deted. He''d known how Sarah would treat him and prepared himself for harsh words, yet he couldn''t stay away.

    "Sarah, I really dide for counseling," Zachary said seriously.

    He''d been having nightmarestely, seeing bloody scenes every time he closed his eyes, leaving him tossing and turning all night.

    Sarah noticed the dark circles under his eyes and knew he was telling the truth. "I''ll write you a referral for sleeping pills. You can get them from the hospital."

    After a pause, she asked, "Is there anything else?"

    "Does lovesickness count?" Zachary asked pointedly.

    "No, Mr. Reynolds. If there''s nothing else, please leave."

    Zachary understood her attitude but remained firmly seated, refusing to go.

    He couldn''t understand why Sarah seemed to hate him so much, why she kept pushing him away.

    "Sarah, can I talk to you about it?" he asked hopefully.

    "No," she replied coldly.

    Zachary shook his head. "But you should. Isn''t a counselor supposed to listen to their patients?"

    He looked at her with wide eyes, and Sarah suspected if she refused, ke''d probably involve Dean Larson again. She rubbed her temples in frustration, feeling powerless against his persistence.

    "Fine, but I reserve the right to refuse," she said with cold detachment.

    Zachary slowly stood up from his seat. He hated seeing Sarah this way, but he had to ept it and leave for now.

    He didn''t want to push her too hard - that would only make things worse.

    She''d

    ected him to stay away for

    at least a few days, but he appeared again at her office before closing

    time, this time carrying a bag.

    Zachary ced the bag on Sarah''s desk. When he opened it, the sweet aroma of

    desserts from Taste Avenue filled the air.

    Sarah stared at the ice cream tart he

    pushed toward her, her emotions mixed. She pushed it back. "You eat

    it, MO Reynolds. What brings you here today?"

    Zach''s eyes dimmed as he sadly put the tart back in the bag. "Sasa, I bought these for you. I don''t want them. Take them hometer."

    Sarah nodded. "Go ahead and speak."

    "I just miss you. The more I miss you, the more it hurts," Zachary said gravely.

    Sarah knew what he was trying to do, but she also knew she would never forgive him, no matter what he said.

    "Mr. Reynolds, if that''s all, I need to leave. My shift is over."

    Sarah stood up and began gathering her things to leave the office.