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"I wanted to," he repeated

Their eyes settled on the tree as painful silence stretched between theether, and then laughed

"Why don’t we sit down," she suggested "Can I get you so to drink?"

He shook his head and waited for her to sit before he took his seat opposite her

"I’ve s, Jessie" Jack leaned forith his elbows on his knees

"You didn’t do it alone"

His eyes traveled to the floor "Is what Danny said true? Did you cry?"

"Woht of you crying over me"

Jessie sat taller "I was afraid I’d driven you away forever We’ve kinda gotten used to you being around here Danny hasn’t stopped asking where you are"

"Did you miss me?"

She sed hard and delivered the truth "More than you would believe"

Jack ss Like I believe that if I’d waited to ask you to marry me, maybe you’d have said yes But no, I had to jump in, both feet, and have you turn me down"

"You scared me, Jack"

"Why?"

Why? Good question, one she’d been considering night and day since he left "I was afraid of loving you Of ould beco this alone for a lot of years, and I’d love to share the burden, but I didn’t think that was fair to you"

Jack opened his , but she halted him with a hand

"Wait, I’m not done Sometimes, when you love so what’s best isn’t always the easiest thing I thought you’d have a better shot at all the things you want in your life if you didn’t have Danny andyou down"

When Jessie looked, she saw Jack staring at her with his mouth dropped open "You said no because you love me?"

A tear ran down her cheek "I said no because Danny and I both love you Having you walk out of our life one day when you want to pursue your dreaood-bye now At least, that’s what I thought last week"

Jack stood, knelt down in front of her, and grasped her hands "Do you feel the sa this week?"