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"Hoe tell her?"

"I called Rey to join us His brother’s in law enforceet an officer in on our plan"

"She’s going to feel alone"

"But when it’s over, she’ll know she isn’t" As I say the words I think of Sara, and how alone I’d made her feel when I’d pushed her away after Dylan’s death How I’d pro alone is what she fears That’s what drives her to the edge I was right to say I’lance around, seeking Sara, and find her several feet away talking with Rey and a police officer, deeply involved in the situation Nothing I have shown her has made her withdraw or becoh A to create that reaction I do see her I see the fighter in her, the big heart I see the woman I love The two of us are all kinds of fked up that somehow equals perfect

• • •

Despite Tristan’s having to play the bad guy with A with us to the hospital And while he’d claimed that he was done with her, his quietness on the ride and the worry in his eyes while ait for Amber’s test results tell a different story And his extreiven a clean bill of health backs that up

Now comes the part we dread--the unavoidable confrontations A police officer who’s in on our plan to check Amber into rehab, heads into her roo After tenhis jaw "I can’t stay, or I’ll go in there to save her in all the wrong ways" His piercing stare e you for the past It’s hard to let go It’s like so on them Call me when it’s over"

I nod and leanmy head drop between my shoulders

Sara’s hand slides toover at her, I say, "I just hope it’s not too little, too late"

"She’s alive and has a lot of living left ahead of her You’resure she lives it happy"

"I should have--"

She kisses away my words, her "