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"I have been doing stuff that doesn’t involve school" Rose crossed her fingers under her thigh

She’d actually taken to studying at the library more now just so Grace and Sal would think she was out socializing Grace didn’t see in her ar up her phone froht of what she’d say to Ben as she hit speed dial

Always in a good mood, he answered, cheery as usual, "Howdy!"

"Will you befor his response

"I knew you’d come around eventually!" She could almost picture the smile on Ben’s face "So when do we consummate this? I can pick you up in five"

"Ha, ha," she said plopping down on her bed "I just need you for one night--this Saturday"

He was quiet for a ht type of girl, but I guess dreaht it’s on"

Rose rolled her eyes and picked up the teddy bear that still held so h school, Ben had been a total player, but now as an adult he was the biggest player she knew: lovable, sweet, and always there for her, but a player nonetheless

"Stop You know that’s not what Ithis ridiculous party to celebratean AA, and they’re sort of under the impression that you’reher nose, embarrassed that she had to admit this

"First of all, you deserve it Shit, it took et mine; I’onna be a doctor, Ben–a surgeon no less I’m sure the classes needed for your AA were hardly coree"

"Doesn’t matter, you’re the only person I knoho’s ever earned it this quickly I don’t kno you did it, but I’m sure it wasn’t easy So tell me, why is your fa that hot little thing?"

Grace frowned, keeping to herself the reasons why she got her AA so fast Ben knew she already had plenty of college credits when she graduated high school She’d leave it at that

As uncoot to the part of her fa the teddy bear’s fur, she crinkled her nose again "Because I sort of told thehed "Why?"

She stood up walking toward her walk-in closet, the furthest point fro story short My sister has been ondown about Vincent, which isn’t true by the way" She knew even Ben wouldn’t buy that, but she felt so pathetic she had to throw that in "Anyway, since they know o to the movies and stuff and you’ve actually coet offdeal, right? But she started telling people about it The last few parties this family’s had, I’ve had to make up excuses why you couldn’t be there"

"So why didn’t you tell one"

"I know you would’ve, but I felt duht it’d be better if I justsuspicious Well Grace is anyway You don’t have to stay the whole night either Just as long as I get to introduce you to the fah "Are you kidding me? And ht I’ until they throw me out"

"No, no, no," she shook her head adamantly "Not around this faet thrown out and I mean on your ass, total respect is of the utmost importance You can hold my hand or enuine but nothing et a kiss goodnight, right? I gotta get so out of this"

Rose touched her lips, Vincent’s words co to her as they always did anyti anyone else was brought up His fingers had traced her lips so many times, I own these forever, and then her unequivocal response You own me body and soul, Vincent There’ll never be anyone else for ht as well be tattooed on her brain…and her heart She’d said them so many times and meant them profoundly If Ben knew the only lips that had ever touched hers were Vincent’s, she’d be mortified This was exactly the reason why she wanted to avoid therapy at all cost It would take any therapist all but a fewto herself and everyone else for so long: she was still hopelessly in love with Vincent So in love she was beginning to think she’d never get over hiuy who had ripped her heart to shreds

"We’ll see," she whispered

"Rosie, I’ you wouldhorrible for an entirely different reason now, she shook her head again "No I didn’t hed "It’s the sa with you, Ben You’re s"