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I took another step back “Shit! I’m sorry I shouldn’t have done any of that”

She wrapped her arutted me I diverted my eyes to the shorts I’d dropped

I reached down to grab the her to lock the door afterward

“You don’t want me now”

I stopped, unsure if I’d heard her correctly

I turned back to face her “What?”

“Youyou wouldn’t look at et away froh”

“What! No! That’sthat’s not—”

“That is exactly it!” she yelled “It’s why you couldn’t look at , Malcolm It’s why you can’t look at me now Admit it Now that you know, you see me differently” She covered her face and turned away “Why did I co?”

Turning back around, she headed toward the door without looking ather escape route Surprise flashed across her face, but it was quickly replaced with a look of fear We needed to get through this I couldn’t keep letting her run away

“Move, Malcolm” There was a treuess my plan of action

“No Not until you hear me out”

She stepped back I hated that she was scared of me for any reason, but I needed to talk to her She needed to know that what she thought rong

“I want you Lord knoant you in the worst way Don’t ever doubt that”

I paused Separation needed to be between that statement and what needed to co you talk about what he did, seeing you that night…” I stopped and took a breath