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“Don’t”

“I’m sorry, Savannah I have to” He usedto back down

“Go ahead I’”

“There were things I kept from you, Vannah I was afraid”

“Why? You wereyou said would’ve made me see you any differently”

“Don’t be so sure”

“Clark You’re scaring me”

He gave her a ser down the side of her face The touch was real albeit a little cool She closed her eyes, leaned into savor the feel of his flesh against her oith a chill that had nothing to do with tereen jewels full to the bri

“I love you”

Her mouth flopped open and closed “Wait—what?”

“I should’ve told you back then I hid it for years Played the best friend hat I wanted to be was your everything, I kneerethis peach dress that stopped at your knees It tookyou the eye the whole party The minute you turned your attention to someone else I took him aside and pretty much told him if he even tried to talk to you Carey and I would make his life … unpleasant”

“Clark,” she gasped Her pulse raced Joy bubbled to the surface like the fizz in soda

“You stole ive it to another Who could be a better match for me, Savannah? We finished each other’s sentences Didn’t hide a thing froranted I just… I didn’t want to risk losing e had”

“I felt the same” Her admission lifted the heavy boulder off her chest

“Felt?”