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I let her think about it and work it out in her head I didn’t need to force her to accept what I was telling her I needed her to believe me and allow me to show her that this was the truth Gannon had beenthe world since I was ten years old

The only bullying I would do with her hen she had doctor appointments and when she needed help I would be there for those She wasn’t alone anymore In time, she’d realize that I was patient I had time

"You knoherelot

"Yes Iiet out when I parked Instead, she sat with her hands in her lap "I loved Gannon"

"I know"

She nodded but didn’t look at ht ahead "I need tiet to know Cope"

"He’s the saive me a chance"

"I’m ready"

"Good"

Nan

I had fallen asleep on the way back fro, and the doctor had been pleased The relief h to relax me, because I’d taken a nap, completely unconcerned, with Cope at the wheel

He had woken me e arrived hoain, snugglinghad never been so delicious I did it often these days

When I openedup the stairs froer ale was beside the bed, and I took a long drink before getting up He’d known this hat I would hen I woke up He knew everything I wasn’t sure if that was creepy or endearing

The way he had held my hand while we listened to the heartbeat fill the room had made my heart squeeze I had expected to do that alone, but in that moment, I’d been so thankful that I had soot to share it with him

He’d said he was the sas about hiree Cope was softer than Gannon He showed love where Gannon had not I realized Cope made me feel secure in a way that Gannon had not I always felt as if Gannon would vanish at any moment, but the man I’d been introduced to as Cope I trusted to stay Even as I fought the fact that I wanted him here, I kneouldn’t leave

I didn’t want hi up, I headed for the door and downstairs I wanted to see hi in my kitchen These were dreams I’d never experienced because I had been afraid to This wasn’t what I knew inthat men did for the Blaires and Harlows of this world Not the Nans

But no one had explained that fact to Cope Because there he stood at aze was onchicken with spaghetti Did you sleep well? Sure sounded like it"