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"Adelle visited o, here in this cabin She expressed that she held deeper affection for o and visit her? I feel I need to close things off with her Adelle needs to understand that I haveto persuade her to forget et back with Eli"

"Of course, Aiden You don’t need o and see her"

"Thank you" I drew her closer and kissed her lips before standing up and walking down the steps

I wound around the mountain cabins in our area until I had reached Adelle’s doorstep Despite ht of her standing there

Get a grip, ainst the door Then I took a step back and held my breath Footsteps sounded behind the door There was a click and it swung open Adelle stood beforeauburn hair braided and hanging down one shoulder I could tell that she had been crying; her eyes appeared glassy, her eyelids red

She looked shocked to see me

"Aiden?"

"I’ood time But we need to talk"

"O-okay" She stepped back and allowed me entrance "Take a seat"

I sat down on the sofa while she sank into an armchair opposite me

My heartbeat quickened even as I looked into her blue eyes "Adelle, I’ to tell you nohat I’ve never told you before… what I held back during all those years we spent together as friends I loved you Deeply"

Her cheeks flushed red, her eyelids fluttering She looked down at her feet

"Had you not started going out with Eli," I continued "I likely would’ve asked you out YouEli, I was avoiding you You wondered how I even knew that the two of you had gotten together because you said you hadn’t told anyone yet I’d said that Yuri had toldin the lakehouse"

Her lips parted

"And do you knohy I was there that day? Because I had intended to finally express s to you"