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She looked at hi in a face that was alolden features, his war hair with the faintest curls dropping past the tops of his ears and brushing his neck He looked so hurt, so vulnerable, and she blamed herself

He touched her cheek, his hand as cool as his lips had been "I just worry that he’s careless I don’t know if I trust him, Vi"

"He saved me once What more do you want?"

"I want to know that he’d protect you the way I would if so happens That he has your best interests in ed, defeated sound He ran his hand through his already ruirlfriend to stop spending so uy I wanna know that you two don’t share some sort of bond because of what you can do But what I really want is to know that he doesn’t have feelings for you"

Violet was speechless She had no idea how--or what--to say to any of that She could defend her relationship with Rafe by saying that they only worked together, but it wouldn’tOf course they shared a bond, one Jay would never truly understand And she certainly wasn’t going to quit the tea about Rafe having feelings for her, that really made her pause Rafe didn’t like her, not in the way Jay meant

Fortunately for Violet, she didn’t have to speak because Jay wasn’t finished yet "But, honestly, you knohat bothers ?" She shook her head, and he continued, his voice so low it sounded like a whisper ru for you when you’re in this kind of pain, Vi"

Eyes wide now, Violet released the shaky breath she’d been holding

Jay leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers while he scooped up both of her hands and squeezed theled Violet wondered when she’d set her own cup down They remained there like that--like marble sculptures--frozen nose-to-nose, mouth-to-mouth

Then she felt his lips ainst hers, and she closed her eyes when he whispered, "I wish I could "

Speechless, Violet tipped her head back, just enough so that their lips were no longer just brushing, so she could th fro to be closer still She freed one hand fro into his hair, telling him--without words--not to pull away

He kissed her back, in response to her restless request, giving her only what she needed He stayed cool and restrained, never pushing her for anything more than what she asked for

Violet’s toes curled inside her shoes and she wished that they were soe of the sidewalk in front of the auto parts store Finally, when she peeled her cherry-flavored lips fros better," she exhaled, her voice sounding faraway even to herself "You ainst his chest She felt safe with his hands spanning her back "And that’s good?" he laughed "Most people want to be anything but nor to the rhyth lift from around her, over her, as she concentrated--focused--just like Dr Lee had taught her "Trust ood"