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He went on to tell the out that they were down in the bunker and how the soldiers dug theain to the nearest base whereas his rescue story was, Ro He went back to the beginning of Vince’s story "So, no shit, they were gonna send you back here to train, and your ass chose to go to Iraq instead?"

Vincent glanced at Rose for a moment then turned back to Ro like that"

After hours of having felt nothing but pure bliss, Rose felt the guilt sink in fast He’d chosen Iraq over co back ho to keep up the fake s terrible that because of her Vincent had gone through all that he had

Once everyone was gone, they sat on the sofa in the family room alone

"So what happened?"

Rose tilted her head not understanding Vincent’s question "When?"

"Tonight You see happened and that changed You just tired? Toowith his dog tags, feeling herself getting choked up again "I just hate that it was entirely h"

Vince sat up, pulling aiftly, so as to get a better view of her face "Your fault? Hoas it your fault?"

"If I hadn’t been so stubborn and believed in you more, I would’ve read your letters and known sooner why you left I never would’ve had to fake having a boyfriend, and you never would’ve thought I moved on" She looked in his eyes now "That’s why you went to Iraq, right?"

Vincent caressed her face, and she leaned into his hand "Baby,to enlist in the first place was all , but I didn’t have to cover for hi that assle’s ass next door No one did but me I had a choice there, too, and I made mine, so it cost oing to Iraq"

"My choice again It’s not your fault I made a stupid choice, but you knohat? You’re the reason I’ Do you really think it’s a coincidence my entire squad didn’t make it out of there but I did?" He traced her lips with his finger "You were there with et back to you You’ve always beenhow often she’d questioned why he would go back to dealing when he’d always claimed he wanted to better hi

"Vincent, I was gonna wait for another time, but I want this behind us already I want us to start all over starting noith nothing hanging over our heads…orto do or talk to you about"

He pulled away searching her eyes "You don’t have to dread talking to , Rose"