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Because, despite everything from our past, I was undeniably in love with him

"Grey," he said on a breath when I’d calether like he was in pain

"I’ed "Don’t say you’re sorry You’re fine I swear I’ll take care of you, and I won’t push you into anything"

"I know you won’t I’er, I swear It’s just so hard to stop the way I’ve been thinking for the last two years"

"You don’t have to stop thinking that way You don’t We will go as slow or as fast as you want The only thing that has changed between us is that everything is out there now We’re still best friends, and we can stay just that for however long you want Even if it’s forever"

I hated the sincerity in his tone Because even though that wasn’t what I wanted for us, I kneould do exactly what he was saying without a second thought It killed , there was still so between us "I don’t want that I want you, and I want a life with you--one that’s different from how it has been I just"

One of his hands left"I know," he said softly "You don’t have to explain anything toup, he kept his hand on o ho down the hours until I could coo eat; I just want to be with you I’m sorry that I--"

"Grey, I told you, it’s fine Please don’t apologize Let et dressed and we’ll leave"

My eyes automatically dropped to the torapped around his waist for the first ti back up to his face He took a step away before turning toward his dresser, and I watched as he pulled clothes out before walking to the bathrooer," I said before he could reach the door He looked over his shoulder at me, his face blank "I love you" It was true, and I’d wanted to say it over and again since the first tiht before But even I wasn’t deaf to the way those three words had just sounded Like ato convince him and me

A sad smile crossed his face before he nodded "I know you do"

As soon as the door to the bathroom closed, I fell onto my back on the bed and tried to hold back the tears that had been threatening to spill since before Jagger had foundit

All I’d wanted was to spend ti without hi up within fivethere I knew from his words, and froht before, that Jagger was lettingBen’s memory to do exactly that I wished I could say I could stop, but at thatto it for so long, I wondered if I would ever be able to let go of my past with Ben

Chapter 7