Hushed Willows Of love and life I choose love

She loved Khali, and she loved eating almost as much. The two in combination was her idea of a perfect day. She heeded the call with haste, rushing--okay, a quick waddle--toward him and covering his face in licks. Hallo, handsome, Lily giggled, trying not to set upon the squirrel right away. A line or two of conversation would probably be polite, to start.

Oh, how lovely, she remarked, nodding at the flowers. Her eyes glowed as she stared back at him, her smile just as bright. Did you make that? For me? You're too good for this world, Khali. What romance novel algorithm had birthed him? What a dream. How are you, darling? She hadn't seen much of him lately, but that was all right--she just assumed he was busy rather than being willfully absent.

Surely a willfully absent man wouldn't have gone to these lengths?