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My stoe co away the ie of his hands on her body, his mouth full of hers

"After that, Perry caether without ever really discussing it She assuive her that We saw each otherelse I told you was true She got to knoell on the trip, sure But I enty-two I was not the sarew apart very quickly"

He lowers his voice, sounding pained "And as a love affair, it wasn’t ever passionate, Mia It was" He curses, wiping a hand across his face "Like inhow do you say it?" He looks at me and I look away, unable to resist the adorable way his lips push forward as he searches for words "Cendrillon? The fairy tale with the step, and continues, "Like in Cinderella I think we both wanted the glass shoe to fit Do you understand?"

"Yes"

"She was the one I cheated on, two ti, Mia I realized I couldn’t do it anymore, that I’d done exactly what I always said I wouldn’t do, likefor once and end things with her, and"--he pauses, taking a deep breath--"Perry couldn’t wait to tell n job in Nice so we could finally be together in Paris"

I blink away, refusing to feel bad for him

"So I" He trails off, looking for the right word, and I’m more than happy to help him out here

"You chickened out"

He nods "Okay, yes And that really wasn’t fair to her I should have ended things"

"We both know I ca like so, too You usedto deal with her You’re i, and, look, youresponsible, or doing the right thing by bringingup for your past mistakes with Perry I’m your way to make up for that I’m your proof that you’re not your father"

"Non," he insists, voice as sharp as a blade "I escaped into you, yes But not because I was using you to prove so to et your ticket; I didn’t have to track you down at the zoo I know I’m not my father; it’s why I was disappointed with myself and how I treated Perry I escaped into you because I fell in love with you"