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So inside ht be the gentle way he’s speaking tofor permission’—or the sheer look of sincerity in his warm, dark eyes

“Yeah,” I finally say, softer “Yes”

Vann pushes away from the tree, whips off his hat, and comes up to me When his arms slip around me, just like they hen I nearly crashed into him outside of our chemistry class, all I feel is deep affection, safety, and assurance in his eh the trees around us and picks up our hair I don’t think I’ve ever appreciated a hug more than I do now

“Are you ready?” he asks me

I lift my head from his shoulder “For what?”

“My big ro to win you back”

I pull my face away co ro? You mean your Reverse Sandy-from—”

“—Grease wasn’t it, no That was just the start”

“Just the start …?”

With an ar outer wall of the gy to signal so A few spaced-out heads pop up over the top of the roof, then soe: a very wide banner attached to the top of the wall that, upon dropping down, rolls open to reveal an enor his lover It is artful, tasteful, and sweet Around the two are coils and swirls of abstract vines and roses, all of it drawn in Vann’s signature black charcoal

All I can do at first is stare The whole display must be ten feet wide by twenty feet tall at least I can’t help but be awestruck by its sheer nitude, let alone the beauty of the artwork itself

“Had a little help froe this,” he quietly explains “Oh, and a connection in toho helpsbanners used for the pep rallies Blew up a sketch I’ve been working on for quite so it, giving it to you, whatever But Hoyt talked er”