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“And?”

“It was boring?”

“Seannnn,” I mumble playfully. “You said you were in Iraq?”

He wriggles uncomfortably, letting go of my hand. “It was umm…it was hard,” he mumbles.

“You went through something out there,” I state. I can see it written all over his face.

“Yes.” His voice is stiff.

“Sean, why are you closing off? Tell me.”

His expression stills. “I lost someone over there,” he stutters as his eyes shift. “He—”

I place my hand on his knee, stopping him. “You’re not rushing me, so I won’t rush you. Tell me another day?”

“Thank you,” he sighs out. “It’s not something I like talking about.”

I don’t know who he lost. Selfishly, I want to know everything right at this second. My curiosity gets the best of me. But I know that he’s patient with me, so I can be the same for him.

When we finish eating, Sean picks everything up and places it on the counter.

I need to add a trash can to my list.

He glances at his watch and sighs. “I’d better head out. It’s getting late.”

The oven clock reads 12:32 a.m.

I hadn’t realized how late it was. We seem to do that a lot, getting lost in our conversations.

“I’ll see you tomorrow. You’re going to help me with that couch I ordered at Beesley’s?”

“I’ll be here at noon to pick you up.” He grabs his jean jacket off of the counter and puts it on. The fuzzy collar sits perfectly straight against his collarbones.

His styling gel has worn off from the day, and his wavy hair flows over his forehead.

He grabs the side of my arm as he leans in, kissing my cheek. My eyes close, taking it in.

“Had to return the favor. Goodnight.” He flashes his dimples.

“Goodnight,” I repeat.

As he opens the door, he pauses with his hand still on the knob. “I have to tell you something,” he says hurriedly as he turns back to me.

My heart pounds at the intensity in his eyes.

“I lied to you before.”

Oh no.

“I lied—when I said that I didn’t love you anymore.” His head is looking down at the ground as he walks out the door and shuts it behind him.

10

Present Day

I couldn’t sleep at all last night. I want to blame it on the fact that it was the first night in my new place, but who am I kidding?