Page 160 of As They Are

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“The ones always in bloom?”

“Yeah.”

“You’re taking care of the whole square and no one knows?”

“No one knows because no one’s ever asked. Besides, I like to take care of things,” he said. “And people.”

I could see it. He was always in tune with how I was doing. Just like Mollie and Tammy.

“That’s ... so sweet,” I said around the wad of cotton in my throat. So this was what he was like when no one was around.

I was glad I caught him, but sad that I didn’t get to see it as ...

As his girlfriend.

Fuck. It was getting harder and harder to ignore. I thought I’d done well by not telling him about Mom, but the feelings were already there. I wanted this. All of it.

“Wren, I?—”

“I think I need to get back,” I said, turning away. “I probably shouldn’t have delayed what I was working on to come over here anyway.”

“Hang on.” His hand wrapped around mine. “I need to talk to you about something.”

“Is it important?”Because I have to go hide for a bit.

“Yes, it is. It’s about us.”

Ice made its way into my chest. Was he done with this? Had he grown bored or met someone else?

That would be my luck. I found a friend in Tammy and then would lose Henry.

“Y-yeah?” I asked. I kept my eyes on the stairs, unable to turn back.

I was terrified someone else was going to leave.

“Wren, turn around.” This wasn’t like his usual orders. It was soft and gentle.

Would his rejection be like that too?

I slowly faced him, heart in my throat.

He let out a breath. “You know, I spent hours trying to figure out what to say and ... I have no idea where to start.”

“Start anywhere.”I can take it.

I was lying.

“I broke a rule.” He gulped. “Most of them, actually. I don’t think I can justfake date you anymore.”

The words washed over me. He was done. It was over. I’d?—

“Did you sayjust?”

“Yeah, I did. I have feelings for you.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Alot, actually. And I want this to be real.”

I could only blink at him. Hewhat?This wasn’t the end? He wanted more, withme?

A voice distinctly like Tammy’s sounded off in my head.“Duh.”

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