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She sucked in a deep breath, because deep down, she couldn’t help but think heyou want in life, as long as you’re willing to risk it Even love, if you wanted it”

He sed hard and averted his eyes “You know, I used to think my aunt and uncle loved me in their oay That sho little I know about love”

She dug her nails into her palms “You didn’t knohat love was back then You were only a kid”

He laughed, but it wasn’t a real laugh It was too hard Too callous “I still don’t knohat it is I don’t think I ever will It’s just not a part ofhonest”

Anna took a breath and looked deep into his eyes “Love is never giving up on so for the apart from the one person in life who ry with theo away si more than a one-sided love”

His face closed up on her, any trace of e within seconds He stepped away fro up a tree to bring birthday cookies and wine coolers to someone?”

She laughed uneasily and looked down at her feet “Yes You could say that I certainly loved you”

And I still do

Probably alill

“Don’t do that Don’t hide your smile froer, s down at her with a tenderness he probably didn’t even recognize “It meant a lot to know someone out there loved me…back then”

She couldn’t help but notice he used the past tense Hadn’t he listened to what she just said? Love didn’t just give up Did he really think she could stop caring about him?

Rising up on her tiptoes, she pressed a soft kiss to his cheek “I still care I’ve tried to stop, believe me I’ve tried”

His mask cracked, and he looked at her as if she were his salvation and his curse combined “Anna…”

She shook her head and pressed her lips tightly together “Don’t say a word I just wanted you to know that, nowith your life…someone out there cares”

Before he could say anything in return, she turned on her heel and left hiht Just the way he liked to be Alone

Chapter Eight