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“Felt what?”

“All night, it got worse, this gaping hole inabout you”

I stare back at him

“I think I needed that I needed to realize I ure it out”

“No, I, we… I was too harsh Too impatient”

“It killedyou walk away”

“It killed me too”

“But I needed it” His voice is steady Sure “I thought aboutup next to you Arguing about whether we should havein our bathroo your eyes when I insist you look great without it I see us getting our own place Gettinga family”

“Ryan…”

“I love you, Leighton”

My heart thuds against my chest

He rests his palm on my cheek Rubsmuch, it hurts”

“I love you too”

“I’m sorry I didn’t see it The word felt like a weapon or a wound And you were the opposite of that, baby You are You’re an angel You’re ”

“I…”