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"I feel like I need to explain," he began

"You really don’t No pros"

"Well, you started it," he muttered "With your damned spell"

I lifted a brow at his tone "I’m aware I haven’t bitched at you"

"Maybe it’d be better if you did Then I wouldn’t feel so guilty"

"About what? Being with Shan or disappointing hed "Jesse, forget about the latter You and me, eren’t meant to be The spell proved that I honestly believe that if you’d loved me, you wouldn’t have hooked up with Shan So was azed attoffee flecks in his dark cocoa eyes "I hope you’re right about that You knoorry--"

"About being inconstant, too easily influenced by other people’s emotions," I supplied This wasn’t the first time we’d discussed that particular fear "So let , there were probably other wonals How did that go?"

"Youa streary words

"Not even that How did you respond to them? Did they have a shot?"

"No way I love her Nobody can replace her" The reply ca to surprise Jesse with its fervor

But it lad to hear "See? We never had that"

He considered for a retful, which made for a nice alternative "I thinkyou just had too many reservations about us I couldn’t help but sense that It really wouldn’t have lasted, would it?"

I shook reat on paper, but no"

"Whereas with Shan, there are none I never had anybody go after me so all-in from the jump There’s no doubt in her whatsoever"

"You’re her lobster," I said, wondering if he’d get the reference

"Okay, Phoebe," he mumbled, but I could tell by his expression that he liked the comparison "With Shan, she loves and wants me so fiercely, so unconditionally, that it’s like a perfect broadcast that blocks out all other signals There’s no room for anyone but her And it’s sorestful So perfect"

"Her intensity ht scare somebody else," I pointed out "Somebody who doesn’t need it like you do Which makes you two a perfect match"

"So you really don’t mind? Shan is a little worried"

"I’ve told her repeatedly that it’s fine Soot back with Chance, anyway" Neutral tone there, carefully nonjudg on that But yes I’m very happy for you two" I pushed out of my chair andnervously Reaching up, I hugged hiht around the neck, then whispered into his ear, "If you hurt her, I’ll cut off your balls and make you eat them"

He didn’t take offense "I won’t The whole tione, I was justempty I hardly ate Didn’t sleep much I could only think how hellish it would be if she never caht, just wanting to hear her laugh one more time"

Tears started inThat was how I felt about Chance at any given moment But if Shan could come back from Sheol and make Jesse a happy man, I didn’t see why I couldn’t retrieve my lover from his father’s realm But first, we had a party to attend--in honor of Booke’s lost birthdays Hell of a thing to celebrate

I stepped away fro in the doorway; and fro Her blue eyes siht, Saldana"

Pointing at Jesse, Imotion toward the house "Go I’ll deal with her now"

"Uh-oh," she said "Alad you’re happy and in a healthy relationship My only reservation would be his age, but you’re not a kid, and he’s not a creeper"

She laughed "He sure felt like one at first"