C126 )。

It hardly qualified as hand-holding; Doyle was practically dragging her along.

And it seemed to be the same this time around.

With that thought, the sweetness that had begun to blossom in the girl's heart was quickly overtaken by a wave of bitterness.

Without a hint of emotion, she slipped her hand from Doyle's grasp and said evenly, "Understood."

Doyle paused