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“I know. It’s fine. I’ll be here when you get back.”

“You really are an angel.”

“I want this to work. And I know you do, too.”

“More than anything. And I know that sounds hollow when I’m leaving to do something that’s important, but not more important than you.”

“I don’t want to start a fight here, but it does feel like whatever you’re doing is more important. And maybe if I knew what it was, I’d understand better. Right now, though, all I know is you’re leaving and I want you to stay. And maybe that’s not fair to say. I’m not asking, because you’ve made it clear this thing you’re doing needs to be done. I’m taking it on faith that it is and you are doing it for the right reasons.”

“Do you believe that?”

“Did you listen to the song I sent you?”

“Yes.”

“You have a good soul. I have enough faith right now to believe this will all make sense someday.”

He let out a heavy sigh. “You have no idea how much I appreciate you.”

“Maybe you’ll tell me all about it when you get back.”

“I hope so. I would really like to tell you everything.”

“I look forward to that day. And seeing you again.”

“One of these days, the real me is going to show up for you.” It sounded like a promise.

“You already did the night you came to see me at my place and you opened up about how you feel about me. You were enough then. You’re enough now.”

“I don’t deserve you.”

“I don’t believe that at all.”

Rick stood at the edge of the stage. “Lyric. We doing this, or what?”

“Who’s that?”

“Rick. We’re setting up to write a song at the bar, then he’s got what he wants, and I’m done.”

“Be careful, Angel. Guys like him, who think others should just give in to what they want, always want more.”

“He can’t have what I won’t give.”

“He’s forced you into this.”

She hated that he was right. “Yeah, well, it’s not like I can tell him I have a badass boyfriend and to leave me alone.”

The quiet on the other end of the line made her gut flutter. “Sorry. I overstepped.” She’d spoken without thinking.

“No, you didn’t,” he assured her. “You have no idea how much I’d love to claim you as mine, too.”

“You mean the way I did, M.” She gave him another few seconds to absorb that. “We’re both hiding this relationship.”

“You told your family.”

“Your brother knows about me,” she shot back.

“But I can’t walk into that bar and kiss you in the middle of the crowd.”