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“I don’t know” I blew my nose one more time and tossed out the tissue “But what reason would he have for saying he lied? Just to mess with me?”

“No” She thought for a moment “But it seems kind of selfish of him to drop that bomb on you and run away”

“I don’t think that was his original intention” I went back to my chair and dropped into it “I think he only meant to ask me if we could be friends and itescalated”

“Because being friends with someone you’re in love with alorks so well” Ellie checked the sandwiches and turned off the gas

“He didn’t exactly say he was in love with me”

“Based on what you told me, I think he made it clear” Ellie lifted our sandwiches fro board “He loves you, but he doesn’t think he can handle being the guy who loves you It’s fucked up, but it’s clear”

“Yeah” I sniffed “This is a new one, huh? A guy breaking it off because he does love me, not because he doesn’t?”

“It’s not your fault,” she said loyally “Those unavailable asshole types really kno to get under your skin”

“I guess” I fidgeted in uys He wasn’t a selfish jerk He sewed my dress, and he brushed my hair, and he cooked for me—badly, but he tried—and he’s so protective and brave and deterood fatherhe isn’t an asshole deep down, Ellie I know he isn’t”

She eyeballed ain I don’t want to”

I bithouse”

“Godda knife from the block on the counter and sliced each sandwich in half White cheese oozed out over thick slices of bacon

Despite ain?”

“This is bacon and brie with peach bourbon ja to le dads who rescue children fro houses”

“And sew”

“And sew” Ellie placed each sandwich onto a plate next to a pile of salad greens tossed with vinaigrette

“And adopt cats”

She grimaced as she set one plate in front of me “And adopt cats”

“And have asms every time”

Ellie shook her head “You’re killing me”

“Sorry I had to get it out” I picked uptoall better Dexter who?”

She laughed as she poured us asood sandwich”