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And so it beginsDax and other girls

God

How on earth would I be able to handle seeing him with someone?

You have to You’ve done it before

But, butit was different this time We were different

No You still have Hartford, my head reminded me

"Is there tension between you and Dax?" He’d followed et" I sottenuncertain "Okay, but let es"

"He said he wouldn’t be here much I’m fine" My voice sharpened at the end, and I i around so I didn’t have to watch Dax, I went into etting the slats and the ainst the , and sohtstand

Hartford came up behind me and wrapped solid ar comfort from my confrontation with Dax

We stood that way for a while, each of us silent, until he said, "I’ here, but I’ll do whatever it takes to get you back on et raduation?"

I turned to face him "Maybe"

He tucked a strand of hair behind ht?"

"Soon" I sently, and I kissed hi me down on him as he fell back on the bed His hand cupped my bottom "God, I’vehis hand uphis mouth over mine, his hand caressed my breast and I stiffened

He pulled back and stared at h as his ar with you? You haven’t let me near you since we broke up"

"Rome wasn’t built in a day, Hartford" I rose up to sit on the edge of the bed I fixedon today" Truth We’d driven Malcol all the furniture All I wanted to do right noas curl up in o to sleep I rubbeddown, he brushed et some sleep"