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"I’ even softer than before

"Why are you whispering?" he whispered back "Wait, why aet off the phone Jesus, I haven’t heard that in ten years She never liked it when I was on the phone late, especially with boys"

"My, h school?"

"A lot? No A few? Yes"

"Anyone special?"

"Special at the ti the wall

"Oh coe romance?" he asked

"Not really Actually, the truth is, most of my relationships have been of the physical variety, not sobold here in the dark, and three thousand s to, I pressed on "Want to know a secret?"

"About you? I’m all ears"

I took a breath, and closedHearing those words out loud just made it feel more real

It was silent on his end Except for his breathing

"Say so," I muttered, my face hot

"It’s okay, Vivian, I’ve never said those words, either I mean, you know I love you," he said quietly

"I love you?" I asked, and I heard him take a deep breath

"Yes"

We breathed The phone crackled Three thousand ht? I irls lined up to take a tith the cute librarian" I laughed, breaking the tension

"You think I’h, and I rolled my eyes