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“I do.”

“Why?”

“Because they’re right.”

Her anger disappears and that somehow feels worse.

She steps closer. “No.”

“Clara.”

“No.” Her hands come up and catch my face.

I freeze.

People can see us.

She doesn’t give a shit.

Her green eyes lock onto mine. “I’ve spent my entire life letting this town decide what’s good for me. The right job. The right house. The right man. The right life.” I don’t move. “They loved Evan for me.”

“He’s safe.”

“He made me feel broken because I wasn’t ready to have sex with him.”

My jaw tightens.

“Don’t defend him to me.” She spits.

“I’m not.”

“You just called him safe.” She says.

“Compared to me.”

“There. That.”

“What?”

“You’re doing exactly what they do.”

I frown.

“They don’t get to decide you’re bad for me too.”

“It’s not them.”

“Bullshit.”

“It’s me.”

“That’s worse.”

“You don’t know what you’re asking for.”

Her hands fall away. “No, Ryder. You don’t get to do that.”

“Do what?”