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“And you think you know what I need?” he asked.
“I do,” she said. “Stand up.”
“You just told me to sit down.”
He was still smirking at her. “That was then, and this is now.”
He stood up and she put her arms around him. “Hug me,” she said. “Because you need it as much as I do.”
“I thought I hugged you last night,” he said. He kissed her on the forehead this time and it felt real. No humor in his voice either.
“You did. But I want you to know I’m here whenever you need one. I want to be able to give you one when I need it too.”
“I’ll always be here for you,” he said.
It was exactly what she needed to hear. “Then let me help you more, Luke. Please. I don’t want to see you hurting and I know you are. I just don’t know what is going through your mind. I want you to talk to me. If you tell me you need time and then will let me know when you’re ready, I’ll believe it. But I want you to at least say something and not pretend something didn’t happen that did.”
“You are pretty wise,” he said. He tipped her chin up. “I promise you I’ll try. I really will. It’s not easy for me.”
“I know it’s not,” she said. “That is why I want to help you. And why are you giving in so easily? Or are you just telling me what you think I want to hear?”
“And face your wrath?” he asked, laughing.
“Don’t be cute,” she said. He did seem sincere though.
“I’m being honest. And you aren’t the only one giving me shit today.”
“I’m not giving you shit,” she argued.
“Aren’t you?” he asked.
“Well, maybe I am. Who else did? Zane?”
“Yes, he did. And he made me see what I have in my arms right now. Just like you are making me see it too. I’d be stupid to throw it away because of demons in my past.”
“That’s right,” she said. “We all have them. Some are worse than others. I want to help you with yours and you can help me with mine. Just like you have been doing.”
“I think you would have gotten there on your own,” he said. “You already did it by moving here.”
“Luke,” she said, laughing. “Listen to what you just said. It’s the same for you.”
“What’s that?”
“You made the move here too. That’s the first step.”
“I wouldn’t have gotten any further than where I am though. But I’m ready to not be stuck. I’m ready to let you help me go further.”
“You are?” she asked.
“I am. Because I love you, Heather.”
“I love you too, Luke.”
He kissed her gently on the lips and they both turned when they heard slow clapping.
“I didn’t know we'd have an audience,” he said, looking at Zane standing in the doorway.
“Sorry,” Zane said, laughing. “The way she was giving you shit in the driveway, I worried you might be limping out to your SUV with her shoe stuck in your ass.”
