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Froe bayand glance outside When she spotted hirabbed the dozen long-steer seat He’d picked the If she was upset because he hadn’t made it sooner, theyflowers?

Even fro was friendly and not an excessive barker Yet the dog didn’t seem to like him When he came over, it hovered around therowled at him and barked nonstop until she put it outside Lauren had even co acted when he caeneral were all that intelligent,person

“Knock it off, JoJo It’s Kevin” Lauren’s words traveled down the ay toward hi quieted but re

I’ll never get why people have pets He held out the flowers and pasted a warm smile on his face “With her around, you always knohen someone is here”

She hesitated before taking the flowers from him with a timid smile “She’s better than a doorbell, that’s for sure Coe told him little

“I’et here sooner” No y “I wanted to, but the logistics justher but stopped when Lauren took a step back

“It’s okay I understand” Her words came out slow andthem “But we need to talk”

A warning bell went off in his head Either she intended to say no or she was leaning toward that decision Either way it ” Kevin sat down, careful that he kept his posture relaxed

Lauren paced in front of hi followed Given a different set of circuht After the fourth pass though she stopped and faced hiether”

Yep, she wasn’t going to give him the answer he wanted At least not without some more persuasion

“I cannot marry you”

“We don’t have to do it now Let’s give it a few ether Maybe take a vacation Anywhere you want Paris, London, Roain” He piled on the co

She tugged on the bright pink se anything, Kevin It’s just not going to work between us We want different things”

As if someone stuck a pin in a balloon, his normally well-contained teued to his feet “Are you really going to throay this opportunity for some Marine? Stop and think for aup, Lauren”

She looked away for ato do with Nate”

“Bull You’ve been different ever since he showed up at your mom’s party” He placed his hands on her shoulders “With er be invited to society events just because you’re Callie Talbot’s best friend With your leatherneck, you’ll always be exactly what you are right now A middle-class school teacher”

Lauren narrowed her eyes, and he let his hands drop Daone too far with that last statee her mind, he needed to pick his words better

“I’ive me But, Lauren, stop and think about this rationally With ”

She threw hie with no lovebox he’d left with her out of her sweatshirt pocket and handed it to him