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"I’otten when Jay pushed her again, jolting her just the tiniest bit higher Her shtened around the ht

Violet wrapped her elbows around the chains of her swing "It was a good idea, wasn’t it?" Without waiting for an answer, she went on "I just didn’t want to sit around the house anymore I didn’t want to hear my mom talk about me and the team and Sara I hate the way she looks atht the kids to this park all the tilanced over to watch Joshua play with a little girl he seemed to know The two of them made their way up the ladder to the top of the slide; then they sat one in front of the other--for in a heap in the gravel at the bottoirl’sup occasionally with ot hurt

To Violet, watching the kids play was like gliirl, and Jay in her little cousin They had once been like that They had been those carefree kids

And then she giggled as she thought about where they were now, on the swing set, in the park, and she realized they still were like that

"What?" Jay asked slyly, taking Cassidy’s place on the swing as she hopped off to go join her brother and his little girl friend

"Don’t clih!" And then, shrugging, she ainst her hand as it clutched the chain

Jay nudged his swing sideways, so it nearly brushed Violet’s "What about us?"

"I was just thinking how cute we lanced toward the kids, ere racing up the ladder again

His ar could drag hi did pull, they both moved in that direction "We’re still cute," he said, but his voice was low and filled with unspoken longing

She lifted her chin, their faces just inches apart now, and Jay’s grip around her waist kept theether "Yeah?" she breathed "You think so?"

His other handher bruisenot concealing it but cradling it His thu the tender path of skin "I do, Vi I think we’re perfect"

She felt vibrations throughout her entire body Even her lips tingled She couldn’t i loved more Didn’t think there was anyone she’d rather be loved by

Hissensation until she felt like every nerve in her body was alivealert "Jay," she whispered

"Vi, I’ you quit the team I just"