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any reason would be good if I couldn’t be with you. I mean a

legitimate reason. Like you don’t see this going anywhere,

we’re too different and we want completely different things, or

you feel differently than you did a month ago.”

Quinn shook her head. “No. I don’t.”

“I didn’t think that you did. I wanted to be sure. I don’t

want to pressure you into feeling something you don’t. I don’t

want you to do this just because you think you have to. I want

you to want to be with me.”

“I do!”

Dallas set her hand lightly on Quinn’s knee. “I told you

that I’d fight for you, that I would never just walk away again.

I meant it. I’m here and I’m fighting for you. For us. I want

there to be an us. I want to be with you. I can’t believe that I

got another chance and I’m not going to pass it up. If you want

to do this, then I’m okay with moving here. I can find another

job. I can keep in touch with my parents. I can make new

friends, and of course keep in contact with the old ones. I can

sell my place or rent it out and get an apartment here. None of

those things are obstacles for me. They might take some time

to work through and get taken care of, but that’s alright. I’m

willing to do it.”

“But- but- that’s sacrificing a lot for me.”

“It’s not a sacrifice, it’s just a change. I loved Topeka. I

still like it. I wouldn’t be giving things up. I’d still have my

family and I’d have yours too. I’d still have my friends. I

know now that leaving one place doesn’t have to mean giving

up on everything and everyone you leave behind. I did that

wrong before and it was the worst thing I’ve ever done. I

wanted to learn from it and do things differently. I know that I