Page 71 of You've Got a Place Here, Too

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DANICA

I’m sorry.

She steps out onto the porch and sits on one of the chairs.

STERLING

For what exactly?

DANICA

I shouldn’t have, I mean I shouldn’t have started going out with you—

(off his look)

No, I don’t mean it the way it sounds—

STERLING

(interrupting)

Because it sounds pretty bad.

DANICA

(deep breath, readying herself)

I was only ever supposed to be at UVI for a year. That’s why I tried to avoidyou from the start. I knew you’d be trouble.

STERLING

Why didn’t you just tell me? Let me make the decision for myself?

DANICA

Because I liked you. I told myself I’d have fun for just one date. By the time we went out, I was having second thoughts. That’s why I was so—

STERLING

That’s why you barely said a word.

DANICA

And when you talked so much, I told myself I didn’t really like you anyway.

STERLING

I still don’t understand—

He sits down in the porch chair opposite her.

DANICA

I fell for you on our second date. I knew as soon as we started building sandcastles with the girls. After that,I couldn’t bring myself to tell you. I wanted you to like me. I didn’t want you to think of me as temporary.

STERLING

That wasn’t your call to make.

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