No man wanted to protect a woman, to help her, to see her get the very best life had to offer unless there was genuine feeling toward that woman, whether romantic or friendship. He wanted Tess to have the life she’s always dreamed of, and at this point, he only hoped it included him.
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Tess took a deep breath. "I want to start over with Will. But i think he has to finish his part of the trip as well. He has to deliver the van and Sugar to Elaine and then we're both done with the trip. And at that point, I'd life to - oh, I know this may sound dumb - but i want to start over. I want to go out and hold hands and walk along the beach and go to movies and eat dinner at little restaurants and - all that stuff people do when they're just getting to know each other."
"Tess, any man who's worth anything, and any man who cares for you, shouldn't have any trouble doing what you just told me. If I really cared for someone, I'd walk along the beach with her. I'd take the time to get to know her. Will's a good guy. Do you think he has the same feelings for you?"
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She felt him move on the sofa, closer to her, and then he had both her hands in his.
"Tess," he said quietly. "Am i to understand that you have feelings for me?"
She nodded, unable to speak. The moment of truth was upon her, and she didn't know what to do. She was flying blind, without a safety net, but it felt good to have finally said what she needed to say, what she'd wanted to say from the beginning.
"Would it help you to know that I have those same feelings?"
A rush of joy so intese surged through her body that her eyes filled with tears. Pulling one of her hands away from his, she covered her trembling mouth with it as she stared at him, as his blurry visage before her.
"Darling, it's okay," he said, his voice so very gentle. "I think we're finally on the same page."
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=)