"R-right," Kathy said, grateful for his hands on her shoulders because she would have stumbled otherwise. The sudden change from warmth to cool--both physical and emotional--had her reeling. "Of course."

She straightened herself up, stepping deliberately away from him, shoulders back and chin up. It didn't matter how raw she was feeling inside, she was going to walk out of here head high. It was a damn cold comfort, but she'd take what she could get in this scenario.

"Bye, Ezra. See you...if I see you, I guess."