you so much。
Finding out who you were like that was awful。 Try to understand。〃
This time when she touched his shoulder； he allowed it。
〃I've always been nayve；〃 she explained not to make excuses for herself；
but so that Mitch would know more。 〃My life was easy and happy and
charmed。 Maybe I felt immune to tragedy。 I'd never known any； not until
the crash； and then I couldn't believe Jeff was gone。 It couldn't happen
to me。〃
She moved closer。 〃Then I found you。 I love you； Mitch。 I fought it for
a long time。 I was afraid of suffering the kind of pain I had suffered
loving Jeff and losing him。 When I saw you in that lawyer's office； the
two worlds came together。 I should have trusted you。 I should have known
that there was an explanation。 So help me； I was afraid to listen。 Maybe
I was punishing myself。 Maybe I was feeling guilty for finding happiness
with you。〃 Her voice broke。
His eyes met hers； then； and they were filled with the same
vulnerability she felt。 It gave her the strength to finish。
〃My God； Mitch； haven't we both suffered enough？ Isn't it time to end
the punishment？ I love you。〃
〃Do you； Anne？〃 he asked unsurely； huskily； hopefully。 〃Do you love me
enough to want to wake up in my arms every day； knowing that I make
mistakes？〃
〃Knowing that you're human？ It's a relief； y'know？〃
A sound came from his throa