Page 50 of Summertime Hexy

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Because I was the one who let the walls down.

The one who whispered her name like a prayer.

I wantedforeverand didn’t say it out loud.

And now?

She’sgone.

“Derek.”

I spin.

Hazel.

There.

At the tree line.

Wearing that same oversized sweater she always steals from the laundry before it finishes drying. Wind in her hair. Guilt in her eyes.

“Youvanished,” I say. Not loud. But sharp.

She flinches.

“I needed air,” she says.

“For a whole damn day?”

“Ipanicked.”

Silence.

“I woke up and you were still there,” she adds. “And I… I didn’t know what todowith that.”

I take a step forward. “You think you’re the only one terrified?”

Her eyes shine. “I thought if I stayed, I’d ruin it.”

“You think running fixes it?”

“No,” she says. “But it’s the only thing I’ve ever been good at.”

I move to her in two strides, stop just close enough to feel her magic prickling against mine.

“I’m not letting you run this time,” I say, voice low.

She swallows. “You don’t get to decide that.”

“Maybe not,” I say. “But I’m not walking away.”

She stares at me.

Breathing hard.

And I swear, if she turns now, I’ll follow her into whatever fire she lights.

Because I’m alreadyburning.

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