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I cut off another piece of waffle and bring it to his lips "Tell me what secrets James kept"

He opens his ue, unable to stop watching his lips as they close around the fork I pull it away and have to remind myself to breathe

He points to the plate "How about I feed you? You eat, and I’ll talk"

I’ for, but I’ue, so I nod and hand his it to my mouth I open for him, but at the last second he leans in and kisses me He tastes like syrup and pastry He tastes like breakfast with someone you love He tastes like the life I wish I had A normal life with no secrets I’ve never wanted secrets I’ve never wanted to know the fro for them

"You have to kiss me after every secret," he whispers into s or I won’t be able to do it" And then he pulls back and brings the fork forward I open rab it with in to chew

"Say yes to that, Harper Tate, and I’ll tell you everything you think you want to know for the price of a kiss"

I nod I know the kiss is wrong, but it doesn’t feel wrong right now It feels right in every way iinable "OK," I whisper back

"Nicola was given ahen she was six And Jaave her away" Vincent watches me for a reaction, but all I can do is stare into his eyes "One kneas never going to get a proive hiave her away He told me--"

"He lied" It cuts me off, that’s how forceful the declaration is "He lies a lot, Harper Even to you Especially to you He lies to himself too The notebook was a lie, Harper A delusional, fake world he talked hi because he couldn’t cope with the truth"

The last feords come out soft Almost a whisper "What’s the truth, Vincent"

He stares atif this is a time to tell the truth or lie But then he lets out a breath and I knohat’s coot what he asked for He chose that life and he got everything that came with it"

"And his sister? What’s the truth about her?"

"Jaave his sister away to One to pay his debt That’s secret nuet a kiss" Vincent leans in and brushes his lips against mine Softly Like his words Tenderly Like his touch It’s not deiveness "You don’t want James You want Vincent"