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I let it all out over dinner, and once it was out there, I had to adht had been lifted off my shoulders to finally tell someone

“I don't want to sound arrogant, but I really a,” I said “My dad co the other erills, andAnd he just – sends me away On a whim For money Who does that?”

As I spit it all out and unburdenedattention fro at us, and I felt bad for ruining this dinner with Nico I felt bad for laying this all out on hiin with

I stood up, preparing to excuse entle squeeze

“I'ht with how easily he agreed to my proposal But I had no idea it was this bad for you Had you not wanted to come, I would have –”

“No, stop that,” I said, walking over to him He stood up and cupped my face in his hands “Stop that I'm so happy I came This has been the best day of my life And I really mean that Nobody has ever showed me the kindness, compassion and consideration you have, Nico And you have nothing – absolutely nothing – to be sorry about”

Maybe it was the wine, maybe it was the emotionalhim this I stood on my tip-toes and pressed ht pull away, but after a mouewith mine

Nico pulled back “I'm sorry,” he said “We shouldn't – I mean, I shouldn't –”

He excused hi uilt and surprise And the heartache of hi in that moment

I sat down at the table, feeling like a fool for pushing it, for kissing him God kneanted to kiss him, but I shouldn't have done that

Nico wasn't into me like that He was better than that, and he deserved better thanotherwise

CHAPTER SIX

“I'alow

I could hardly look at hied any words since the kiss, but he didn't have to say anything I knew he regretted it And the sha

“Listen, the as flowing, and so wereto look at him “It's my fault, I shouldn't have done that”