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"But just know this," she says softly "I did it because I was being loyal to myself"

Vale then scurries out of the bathrooone

I let out a pent-up breath of frustration and push off the counter

I was being loyal to myself

Nohat the fuck did that o, I was tired of the conversation and didn’t want to know a da anymore But she can’t just leave that little tidbit there unresolved and think I’ to demand an explanation I stride with purpose out of the bathroom, down the hall, and take the stairs two at a tiht out to the back deck, instinctively knowing Vale is in flighther father and boyfriend for a hasty escape

I spot her quickly, leaning up on tiptoe to whisper solances around, and then nods curtly at her She takes hi hih the crowd, and in four well-placed steps, I’m in front of her She looks up atto have to explain that one toshot

Her face beco the saaze pinned on my quarry She turns back toloyal to yourself?"

"Hawke," Vale whispers pleadingly "We can talk about it later"

"Fuck that," I say with quietmy voice low so only she and Todd can hear uests--I tell her, "You can talk about it now because seven years is fucking long enough We can go back up to my room if you want privacy, but it’s time you came clean with me"

"Vale," Todd says as he takes a step closer to her "What’s going on?"

Vale cuts Todd a sharp look "I’ll explain later"

She then turns to look atvoice, she says, "Hawke…please, let’s talk about this later"

A low burning in ives uests and I truly don’t want ive her a curt nod of acceptance

But then, I can’t help ht as well tell Todd the entire truth since you’re going to be explaining things to him Make sure he knows exactly how close ere all those years ago"