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“You’re quiet tonight,” Jeff said in low voice I looked up and found hi me

‘I’m fine,” I replied I plastered on the fake s all day in the hopes that he’d believe it

“You want to talk about it?” he asked, concern furrowing his brow “I know last night couldn’t have been easy for you” He was referring to the news Sienna had decided to share in the middle of Huntley and Grayson’s rehearsal dinner The news that had unraveled all the progress I had made because it reopened a wound that would never be completely healed

“Please,” I sighed, “I don’t want to talk about it I just want to enjoy the rest of ht”

“Why won’t you let me help you, Demi?”

“Because you can’t No one can”

He tilted aze “You can’t carry it all alone Please, let me help you Let me be there for you”

His words sunk in and when he lowered his head, brushing his lips acrossan entirely different conversation He wasn’t just asking ive myself to him He didn’t need to say the words It was all there in his eyes

“Jeff, I…” I struggled with the words, not only because I didn’t knohat to say, but also because I kneas about to break his heart

“Have you considered the possibility that it’s time to move on?” he asked

We stopped dancing and stood in the middle of the dance floor “I have moved on,” I said It was a lie, but it was a necessary lie I had to convince myself more than anyone else that I had actually moved on from Brody

“Then prove it,” Jeff challenged, “Move on…with me”

“I don’t think – “

“I love you,” he blurted out quickly, looking down at my face

“I love you too,” I replied “You’re one of my best friends”

“You’reme,” he leaned in, “I’irlfriend”

My hands dropped to my sides and I took a s ever since Brody’s grandmother had pointed out how Jeff really felt about me

“I can’t,” wasto him

“Why not?”

I sed hard “I’m not the woman for you, Jeff”

“How can you decide that for me?”

“I love you, but not the way you want ood - ”

“Don’t say friend, please I thought after some tins”

“I didn’t mean to lead you on I’

“I’ defeated

“I can’t lose you,” I choked out, “I still need you in my life, please”

Jeff shook his head “I don’t know if I can”

“Jeff, please,” I pleaded

“I need sohed He pressed a chaste kiss toalone A hand came to rest on my forearm and I turned around to find Huntley