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“Xavier has never made me happy.” I ignored the burning in my chest as I spoke the truth. “He only has ever done the opposite.”

Dan’s eyes studied mine. I didn’t shield my emotions from him. If he needed reassurance about my feelings for Xavier, then he could have it. I would always love Xavier, but I would also always hate him for what he had done to me and for what he was doing. Nothing he could say would ever change that.

“I think I preferred studying,” I grumbled, falling onto the sand, my hand slipping from Dan’s as I did so.

Dan’s lips twitched slightly. “Yeah, I guess I sort of ruined our relaxing afternoon.”

I shrugged my shoulders. “Well, you had to get it off your chest, I guess. But do you believe me?”

“Yeah, I do.” Dan turned around and sat down next to me, slinging an arm around my shoulders and pulling me into his chest.

I leaned up and kissed his cheek lightly before letting my head fall against his chest. “What are we going to do tonight?”

“I think there is some sort of festival on tonight. We could go to that.” Dan’s voice was light. It was nice to hear and know our serious conversation was now over.

“Sounds fun.” I yawned and pulled my knees up to my chest.

“Chloe...”

“Dan…” A smile twitched at the corner of my lips.

“I really care for you.”

I pulled my head from his shoulder and placed a hand on his cheek, bringing his head to face me and looking him in the eyes.

“I really care for you too.”

Bringing my leg around him, I straddled him and wrapped both arms around his neck, our gazes locked.

I heard his heart rate increase, and couldn’t stop the sly smile that spread across my face.

“What did I tell you two before you guys left?”

Dan and I both turned to face a very causal Ace strolling towards us. I wanted to charge at him and attack him for interrupting us. But, like always, I just turned on a cocky grin.

“You jealous, Ace. Not getting any?” I winked at him and didn’t make a move to get off Dan’s lap. Dan’s fingers were trailing down my exposed back and it was sending shivers across my skin.

Ace made some weird grunting noise of disgust before he decided to plant his butt next to Dan. It looked like he wasn’t going anywhere in a hurry.

“Dude, get lost,” Dan muttered under his breath and I smiled at the annoyance in his voice.

“Yeah, Ace, go find someone else to annoy,” I added.

“Gee, a guy would think I was unwanted.” Ace mocked a sad expression. “When all I did was come look for you guys to tell you something. But seeing as I am unwanted, I will just leave then.”

Rolling my eyes, I bit. “What were you going to tell us?”

“Nope. Don’t worry about it. Don’t want to waste anymore of you time.” Ace’s smirk was the only thing giving him away.

“Shut up, Alec, and just tell us,” Dan snapped, not playing his game.

Alec crossed his arms smugly. “We are leaving for dinner in an hour.”

“That was it?” I arched an eyebrow. “You sure you weren’t just missing me, Ace?”

Alec’s lips tightened and annoyance rolled across his face. “Don’t big noteyourself, Chloe.”

“So you going to tell me what it is you want? Or should we just pretend that is why you came to find us?” Dan asked, stopping me from moving by planting both hands on my hips. I frowned at the side of his face, while he kept his eyes glued on Alec.