Page 10 (1/2)

"You should be," she said "First of all, no one lethere …" She sed hard "I don’t know, Jonathan," she whispered "I’irl panties, because you’re already doing it" He softened his voice "Listen, I get it I lived next door to you, re time, sweetheart It’s okay to move on, to have a life for you It’s okay to be happy back here, and maybe even rediscover your love of this place"

There was so much there that she couldn’t touch So much Mostly because it was all true So she concentrated on the part she could control "But what if what happened in San Diego follows me--"

"It won’t You were thrown under the bus by your boss and boyfriend No one would do that to you here, not even an opportunist like ot your back You’re the sweetest, kindest person I know, Lily"

"You need to get out more," she said, uncomfortable with the praise

"Shh I knohat I speak So … how did he look?"

"Who, Aidan?"

"No, the tooth fairy," Jonathan said "Yes, Aidan How did he look?"

"Sexier than sin on a stick," she adreement When it ca for whatever team suited him in the moment

"It was like tiht back to when … when I left I want to blame him, but of course I can’t Especially since it was allabout what happened was your fault," he said fiercely "Not Ashley dying on the "

Lily nodded, which was duht to talk

"Lily? Tell me you didn’t stay away all this time because you think you’re responsible"

She opened her mouth and then shut it

Jonathan sith impressive skill "You’re no more responsible than thehad been a dare between Lily and Ashley, a challenge God forbid they play Barbies or have a tea party together, like so h life at full speed, fighting for their parents’ attention, grades, skiing, cli, and once upon a tio," she said, unable to discuss it "I’ into a tunnel, bad connection"

"There are no tunnels in Cedar Ridge"