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"Believe it, Rosie You are special," he kissed her lips softly, "very special"

She tilted her head with that intense feeling inside that only he could er now "Oh yeah? So tell me why am I so special?"

"I think you were born that way, and anyone that doesn’t see it is insane and not worth your time" He moved her wet hair away from her face He hadn’t said it, but she knehat he , Rose I’ve never tried so hard in e, to prove to myself or to anyone that I’m better than this, not until Iin trouble and not be able to see you That would be reason enough, but there’s an even bigger reason The most important reason is I want to…for you I wanna be worthy of you"

Rose shook her head ready to protest He orthy of her--completely But before she could he went on with conviction "You deserve better, Rose, not so up walls"

"But you’re not that guy anymore"

"Only because of you Yeah, I’d started to h one" He pulled her closer as if her body already pressing against his wasn’t close enough Raising his eyebrows and looking very serious again, he asked, "Wanna knohy I love you?"

She nodded, already feeling the lump in her throat

"Before you ht at all" He shrugged "I’d get a job somewhere or continue to work at the factory with my dad I’d play it by ear Who cared? Ever since I ed All I ever think about is my future now--our future, and I’m excited about it You inspire me, Rosie Inspire me to shoot for more--so much more, to be that man you deserve" The conviction in his eyes suddenly fell, and he looked troubled again "I just worry, you know?"

"About what?" She thought she’d seen the worry and felt it in the car on their drive ho to worry about, Vincent I promise you"

"I trust you, Rose I do But I don’t trustexactly what he was saying, but hoping she washere "What do you mean you trust me but not yourself?"

Vince pulled her back "No, not like that God, not like that" He hugged her with so much emotion it ht in her eyes "What I felt today, Rose, just seeing you with your friend Ben…the disgusting way he looked at you, groaning like an animal, and the disrespectful way he spoke to you…" He squeezed his eyes shut "And then he wanted to touch you? I wanted to rip hi in relief, Rose nodded, "I know"