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My hand covered hers, regret washing away every other emotion "If I’d chosen Colorado?"

Her eyes widened "But you didn’t, and it’s too late to change it now Everything is in North Carolina for you And now that Grace is awake…"

"She has nothing to do with this I swear it to you Yes, she’s e, but I am in love with you, Sam Not Grace"

She shook her head slowly and blinked back tears "She has everything to do with this, Grayson She’s in everything about you You prayed for a ive you that Go back to North Carolina See how things happen with Grace, or if they happen at all I need to go back to Colorado and ‘pull uy once told s" Her voice broke and tookher to the floor with me and into my arms "There has to be another way I don’t accept this" She curled intoher tiny frame as I adjusted her on my lap, careful not to injure her broken arm or tear the stitches on the other one

"I just want you to be happy," she whispered against my neck in between tears Chills raced down hter, but it didn’t stop her body fro

"I’ve never been as happy as I a her face ineach line, every flicker of emotion "Tell me e can’t make this work Because these excuses are all bullshit Tell me o adults who love each other can’t find a way to be together I fucking love you, Sao"

I thumbed away another tear as it slipped down her face

"I love you, too, so ht now, here in Alaba, and you and I want two very different things I want to graduate froe I worked my ass off in You want to be close to your fa me"

"I understand"

"Do you?"

"I can’t be ht for the Citadel, and despiteextremely upset with my choice to leave after the accident, I went I chose me I chose not to wither there as Grace wasted away So yes, I understand"

She ran her fingers down my cheek "I have to take accountability for my actions and faceour lips together in a soft promise that I understood "I’m so damn proud of you I just wish I could help you do it"

She laughed through her tears "I think that would be cheating"

"Yourtime,’ when you were in the hospital I was so scared you wouldn’t wake up, that I’d be sitting next to your bed for the next five years"