"It's really good to see you here, Max," she whispered.

"So you can stop pretending that everything is okay?" he asked.

"What?"

"You've been pretending all morning. Why? Are you ashamed of us?"

He leaned forward, lowering his voice. His eyes held hers as he continued speaking.

"Didn't you promise your father that you'd be careful with me?"

"Of course I promised him that I would be careful with you. He doesn't understand. How can someone who has never felt love like love? It hurts.

''It burns and tears come out of your eyes sometimes because you miss the person you loved so much.

''But it isn't real. Love doesn't...