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I couldn’t help myself--I was so weak "You mean she’s notSaht blue sky reflecting over a pure Caribbean sea stared back atvoice, one that changed fro to inclusive and compassionate "But Amy, whatever you feel for Sam, you need to let him know"

"I did let hio"

"I know you did" He reached out and touched e "But it’s been four and a half years and you’re here, sitting in the dark with a thousand books on that little machine, in a bar where one of the hottest bands in the Boston area--hell," he chuckled, "in the world if I do say so rin "Where we’re playing and you’re hiding back here like a church mouse Go for it Tell him what you think Tell hi for it," I said "How is Charlotte?"

His grin snapped shut like it was spring loaded "You’re like a sniper with perfect aiht and restrained

"No Just a champion debater," I whispered

"What?"

"Nothing" He frowned and I took that as et the hell out of here

Fate had other ideas, as a Sam strode over to us with a determined step, his body all sweat and muscle, his eyes intense and focused My heart slammed into my throat and Liam followedto an iiven to finally – finally – say what I’d wanted to say all these years to Sam

I miss you Those were the first words that popped intotochaos inside me churned so fast No! Not I miss you I couldn’t tell him that, even if it were true

Especially because it was true

Sa, then surprised uy It felt nice But her jaw tre her eyes and finding tears in them

"Upset about Joe?"

She sed hard and nodded "Nothing will be the sareat school" Oh, that was coreat lay," she whispered

Thather lips

"It’ll be fine" The words were just an impulse Were they true? Hell if I know

Tyler asked me yet another question about the audio equipment as my eyes rocked with disbelief when I took another look into the crowd There was Liah to watch the two of the because of hi froover there talking to her I was supposed to be the one getting her eyes onhim up I was supposed to be the one who reached out and touched her hand, who had all of her attention, who had all of her focus And I was supposed to be the guy who saw no one but her Except, instead of being that guy, I was the guy who cooing to be right now?

There was definitely so between the two of the on the table when he wasn’t reaching out and touching her, her eyes flashed at him, the way her lips moved when she talked to him--all the non-verbal cues toldto hi in rapid fire in a way that made me want to kiss it and make it stop And then, Liaue had just conquered Mr Arrogant It made me smile, it made me want her, it ed, watching Liaet ti to go talk to

The four and a half years of silence yawned between us Was that really all that was holding o? As if the seconds ticked into minutes, into hours, into days, then ht of all of thatmy mouth shut because I’d o? Wasit around?

No No fucking way I stood up I put one foot in front of the other, and I decided that I was going to walk toward my future because it was the only way I could escape e and Ahly, the distance between Earth and Mars At least, that’s how it felt