Clinging to a Possibility

Alessandro looked down at Lucrezia who was still slumped on the ground. He took off his cravat and handed it to her. "Here," he said. "You can wipe off the dirt from your dress with this."

I held out my hand to take the silk scarf, but I had barely gotten a hold of it when he already let go. 'So he doesn't even want to touch my fingertips?' I thought disbelievingly. Isn't that taking his loyalty to 20 to another level? Then I realized I was being stupid. I didn't just get jealous of myself – did I? "Thanks for the concern," I replied grumpily, standing up and dusting off my skirt.