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I nod, but I’ up Not yet, not until I’ve left it all on the field “And I’m not the boy you reht and his heart in the right place ould love to get to know the woman you are now And to prove to you he kno to treat people he cares about”
Lark lifts one bare shoulder, one bare, beautiful shoulder I will never press e her mind and shakes her head “It’s too painful, Mason I can’t do this with you I don’t want to, and even if I did, I’m too busy I haveill be the first tiine—”
“You’re leaving town?” I ask That would be juststay at a motel in Bliss River the one week Lark won’t be here
She shakes her head “No, I’ht has only o hoet this conversation ever happened”
“That’s a great idea,” I agree, her words lighting a spark of inspiration Maybe a second chance isn’t the right way to think about this Maybe we need a co day at hoht at six”
Lark blinks “Excuse me?”
“Let’s forget this conversation ever happened,” I say, praying she’ll go along withthat’s ever happened between us Pretend I’ Bliss River for the week and is dying for you to show hihts Give ether”
“Mason, I can’t—”
“One week, seven dates,” I beg “And if by this ti to do with ain If that’s what you want”
Lark sighs, looking past , her expression wistful An upbeat song has just given way to a slow one, an old country ballad about forever love that makes me want to pull Lark into my arms to dance
But I can’t
Not yet, maybe not ever, unless…
“What do you have to lose?” I ask in a hushed voice “Except two hundred pounds of annoying ex-boyfriend once the week is over?”
Her lips quirk, a tiny sign of hope that nevertheless sets
“I’ll buy you pancakes every day,” I add “Unlimited pancakes and unlih takeout for your entire family Your dad can eat his Moo Shu Pork off my back while he kicks me repeatedly in the spleen”
“You know better than that,” she says, her gaze still fixed on the dance floor “If an”
“As he should I’ive the word”
Lark sighs again before shifting her gaze back tonecessary You can pick me up at my parents’ house tomorrow at six”