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“I thought you felt the same way,” I say, not upset, but confused

“On the train… When we” I start but stop She steps away fro at her lip

I won’t try to convince her of anything she doesn’t want

She’s quiet for so long, but I don’t budge I stand by her, waiting for her to tell me what it is she really wants

How she really feels

“What do you see when you look atthe silence with an edge to her voice

I feela little, but I don’t interrupt her or talk over her

I’d rather she told me exactly how she feels than just play-act

If it’s not what I wanna hear, I can take it

Or so I tell myself

“Do you see all this? The ie in your head or do you seearound us

All I want is her nohouse or a hut I don’t care as long as I have her

Shein my eyes because her features soften, and she walks over to ain

“I see you I want you All this, as you put it,” I say, using e space around us, “is just a place to stay It may as well be comfortable”

She melts into me at my words

“I just don’t get what it is you see in s not working out for her

“I’ve told you, you’re the irl I’ve ever met And I think you knohat you do to e inher smile before she playfully punches at my chest

“Don’t change the subject,” she tries to protest, but it’s no use

Once I have a hold of her long enough and she can see, feel and hear from me just how much she s

“Sorry…” she whispers I stroke her hair back, holding her face in my hands as she looks up at me

“You never have to say that to me,” I assure her “I love you, Natasha Every second, every hour Every day” I remind us both