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again.
    He lifted his head. “I’m sorry.”
    “Stop apologizing. You miss them. They were taken too soon.” I searched his face. He offered a small, forced smile. “I know I can’t replace them, Rob, but I’m here for you. I’ll hold your hand and be next to you every step of the way. I love you.”
    He pulled close to me and gave me a firm hug. “They would have adored you, you know.”
    “Well, I adore you.” I looked up at his face. I kissed him and tried to mute his sorrow.
    “Let’s do something,” I said. I wanted to keep his mind occupied.
    He looked at me. “I want to go to our spot.”
    After I cut up the bagels, placed them in a Ziploc bag, and stored them in the freezer, we drove to my house and parked the car that Rob bought me for Christmas. I had to keep it a block away so Dad wouldn’t see that it was me who was driving. I couldn’t tell him about the lessons Rob had secretly been giving me, or the Driver’s Ed class I signed up for through school until I took my driver’s test, which was scheduled for the Thursday after Easter. I knew it would throw my father over the edge. Not that I should care about what he thought, but I did.
    We held hands as we walked down the dirt-beaten path until the familiar sight of the creek came into view. It was the first time we had come back since the fall. The sprouting buds on the trees promised another beautiful canopy for the summer. Small shoots of grass started to push up through the dirt. New moss blanketed the rocks I loved to sit on and draw.
    “Every time I come here, I’m amazed at how beautiful it is,” he said walking forward toward the water. “I’m so glad you’ve shared this place with me.”
    “I love it here.” I walked up behind him. My arms found his waist.
    He pulled me around so I was in his embrace. He stared into my eyes. His still had evidence of his sadness reflected in them. The ability to control my limbs left me, and my heart hammered inside my chest. A finger caressed my cheek. He reached behind me and plucked the clip that held my long strawberry locks in place. I took it from him and pushed it into my pocket. Long fingers combed through my hair. His touch was electrifying. I felt it in every synapse.
    Waiting as long as I could, the tidal wave of emotion took over. My mouth pressed on his. We kissed, but it wasn’t enough. The fire inside of me got hotter. I wanted him, and I could tell he wanted me. I wondered if the animals that lived in the woods would mind if I had my way with Rob in the middle of their sanctuary.
    Without warning, rain fell. The leaves weren’t mature enough to keep the drops from hitting us. I thought my skin would sizzle when the cool water hit it. We could have easily run back to the car or my house, but Rob’s smile turned mischievous.
    “Come on,” Rob said, grabbing my hand. He pulled me through the woods. I tried to keep up with his long strides as we ran deeper and deeper into the thick wall of trees. Bright green plants tried to grab our legs, but we moved too swiftly for them to catch us. The rain fell harder, pounding down on us. My hair stained dark. It was heavy , and the curls stuck to my face. Rob kept running, pulling me with every step. We didn’t stop until I couldn’t breathe without gasping.
    His halt was sudden. He pulled me close to him as the rain teemed down on us. It camouflaged us from nature’s light fighting to break through the clouds and the canopy of trees. I blinked to keep the rain out. His body was warm against my cold skin. I looked at his face. His dark, wavy hair hung over his eyes.
    The rain was relentless as it poured from the sky. Our clothes clung to our bodies. The contours of his strong shoulders appeared through his wet tee shirt. Gentle hands cupped my jaw. I was no longer in the forest, but lost in him. A curtain of heavier drops rained down. It was hard to see through them, but I didn’t move or look away. He was beautiful. Fireworks exploded