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Another long pause “Agreed If I’nant, you’ll be the first to know”
“Thank you” I’ive me that concession “I appreciate that”
Everything else I’m about to say is for her happiness—and hers alone
“That sao I do, so I aive Sloan the woman’s name and number “When you’re ready, let otiate a settleive you half—”
“I don’t want a dime of your money”
Of course she doesn’t That’s so Sloan I’d take her refusal to ain…except she sounds on the verge of tears
“Baby…” But what can I say? She’s asked ht her harder for us How can I say I’ on to her in an effort toIt may not matter to you anymore, but e had… It wasn’t all business for me And if you’ll let me, I’ll explain the situation with Becca”
I’ to tell ain
“I’”
That’s a good sign, but I can’t get my hopes up Maybe she only wants to hear what I have to say so she can get some closure And that’s fine If it will help her ive that to her
“Evan h school They were both foster kids, and Becca cah home She had this…vulnerable quality, like she wasn’t quite capable of protecting herself from the pitfalls and cruelties of the world I, like a lot ofI’m no altruist, as you know She was beautiful And I knew Evan wasn’t in love with her”
“Why did he marry her?”
“He felt responsible for her He’d done his best through high school to shield her frohteen, he yanked her out of that house and gave her the protection of his name and his roof Sure, she waseyes, a soft smile, and so much unfulfilled need Soive her what she needed” I scoff “I never touched her—not once My loyalty to Evan came first and foremost And in some ways that was perfect for me I could tell iven my heart to Becca—the most unattainable woman I knew” God, I was an idiot “But the truth was, she wasn’t what I needed I didn’t knohat that was until I met you”
“Bas…”
Right I’reat, but not the reason I reached out That’s also why I’ her I’ve left Stratus and Evan I didn’t leave my best friend and the job I loved to win brownie points, siht “Becca died in a car accident, on her way to a doctor’s appointnant”