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"It’s not his fault"

"Don’t give me that shit I saw the way he followed you around He wanted in your pants That’s why I sent hi"

"I’one We both have baggage It’s time for a fresh start To build our future on a clean slate"

I don’t respond With two fingers under ain "I love you, Lucky"

"I’m sorry," I whisper

"You’re sorry? What the fuck does that mean?"

I reot to be fucking shitting , Lucky You can walk away fro Beckha for Easy Ryder, but I’ll be da ti, he slams the door behind him so hard, the walls of the bus shake from the force

I stay in the back after the bus pulls into California It’s so quiet without the hu, ite, I discover I’m not the last one on the bus Dylan lifts his eyes to ht?" There’s a vulnerable tone to his voice that I’ve never heard before "I have to do an interview this afternoon, but let’s have dinner afterward Let’s talk"

As et on a plane this afternoon, run away fros like adults I nod

The car ride is uncomfortably quiet on the way to the restaurant Dylan stares out the , tugging at the collar of his shirt, seeht as I am It surprised me when he told me to dress for dinner, surprised me even more when he slipped on a jacket and tie

The driver pulls up outside Chateau La Roque and Dylan tells hiet out Instead, he opens the door at the curb and offersour fingers together, he walks us into the trendy French restaurant I’m shocked he picked such a public place for us to talk, knowing the topic ill be ulti

"Mr Ryder," a ht this way"

After we’re seated, the first ten minutes are filled with aard small talk It reminds me of a bad blind date

"Dylan," I say at the sao first," he offers with an appeasing smile

"I just wanted to say I’ the way, but I’ but kind to me" I truly mean it I hate myself for what I’ve done

He takes s First and fore you the attention you deserve But that’s going to change This afternoon, the thought of losing you made me realize how stupid I’ve been--"

"You didn’t--"

"Letalready" He stands And I must be thethe entire thing unfold right beforefro down on one knee

Oh asps around the crowded restaurant, and then his words through a fog "Lucky" He clears his throat "I’ve written hundreds of songs, yet I don’t know the right words to tell you how ot down to LA, but today I realized I’ve already waited too long I know you aren’t ready forto wait Until then, I want you to have er to remind you every day howfrom my cheek until his thu st for tears of joy "I knohat I want Be my wife, Lucky Not today or tomorrow But promise me, someday?"

"Dylan" My wary voice cracks as I pull him up from his knee to stand I can’t do this to him publicly Twopictures

Chapter Thirty-Three

Flynn