"You're more than that," I said firmly. "You're smart and brave and loyal. You're the

girl who stood up for a stranger in the library when no one else would."

She looked at me, confusion crossing her face. "You remember that?

"Of course I do."

Her eyes softened, and for a moment, I thought maybe-just maybe she was seeing me. Really seeing me, for the first time. But then she slumped against my shoulder, the alcohol finally taking its toll.

"I should get you home," I said, helping her stand.

car. By the time we reached her apartment, she was barely conscious. I half-carried her inside, found her bedroom,

pulled a blanket over her, words I'd kept locked away for years

whispered. "I'll never leave you,

that library. I've loved you every

already lost

battle I was ashamed to acknowledge. I reached out, gently

and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, then briefly, lightly touched my lips to hers. The sweet, alcohol-tinged warmth

buried-wanted to stay, to claim what Sean had carelessly overlooked. But that wasn't love. That was possession,

her heart, not just her body. Not like

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