He swallowed, tasting bitterness in his own mouth. Marcelo knew if he opened his mouth to say something, it would be words he would regret. Instead, he gently closed the door behind her. Though he wasn't sure if it would be weakness or anger.

And he couldn't lay that on Stephanie. Couldn't make himself do that. Since the day they that got serious, he had done everything in his power to try to make her life better. To relieve her burdens. Sometimes at an inner cost to himself.

He nodded an acknowledgement to her gratitude. His hands felt useless when she took the bottle from him.

He managed to get his eyes up to about her nose before he lost his nerve. He shook his head to answer her question. Then he turned back to the liquor cabinet.