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“You don’t have to say that to ether and—”

“Not anymore Listen to me, Echo I love you”

Her lips part on a soft gasp “No You’re just saying that”

“I’m not, shortcake I’ve never said those words to Jayci—or any other wo BS to make you feel better You’ve opened my eyes, and I want you to knohat’s in irls were But you were always beside me Now let me be here with you”

Echo searches my eyes A duo of fresh tears falls down her cheeks “You always have been”

“Not in the way I should have How did you stay such an a you?”

“Because I love you And I kept hoping that, one day, you’d love me, too”

“I do,” I assure her in a fierce whisper as I cup her face in my hands “I love you more than I realized More than you know More than I can tell you with a feords If you still wantyou how much And we’ll never let the Jaycis and the Xavians of the world coain”

Chapter Nine

Echo

If I still want him? I’d say that Hayes can’t possibly be serious, but the les of his face I’ve memorized because I’ve stared at them a million times says he is

“After everything, you’re really asking if I want you? Hayes, I have since I was old enough to understand what that even meant I don’t need experience with anyone else to know I alill”

“Shortcake…” He sounds choked and hu to him, the way it does to me Is that possible?

His stare fastens on ain, his eyes now dark with desire Yes, it is And it’s real

Hayes has always been intense, doing everything with determination and purpose His expression now tells me he intends to make love to me with that same zeal and fervor