"Do you hate me?" Adrian whispered into Nick, his head diving inside his lover's chest.
"No," Nick whispered back. "I just hate how much I want to believe you."
How many of us have been in that precise position; of loving but knowing it was unhealthy, doomed, ultimately unfulfilled, but recklessly holding on anyway. Nick, come on, you're cleverer than this, unless it is the quiet, unnoticed power you actually love.
Interesting years ahead for them both. I wonder if they will feel like wasted years?