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“My mom said that?”
“She did.”
Wow.
“It’s scary,” I whisper.
“What is?”
“I know I could fall in love with him. I can actually feel it happening with every moment we spend together, and there’s nothing I can do to fight it. It’s like it’s inevitable, like no matter what I say or do, it’s going to happen.”
“That’s not a bad thing,” she says gently.
“No, I guess you’re right. It’s still scary, though, because I want this to work out so badly that I can actually taste it, and I know if it doesn’t, I’m going to be crushed.”
“That sounds pretty serious.”
“I really like him, Chrissie. No—I more than like him. He makes me feel safe and wanted. He makes me feel beautiful. He makes me feel things I’ve never felt before with anyone. Plus, he’s sweet, funny, protective, and possessive, and all of those things make me feel secure about what we’re building. And I want to keep building on all of that. I don’t want anything to ruin it, and I’m freaked that it really is too good to be true and that there’s no way this is really happening.”
“You might be overthinking things, Leah. Maybe you should just take it one day at a time and let him lead the way. He seems like he’s good at leading, so you should let him do that.” She grins.
I feel my face heat, knowing just how good he is at leading. “You’re probably right.”
“If I had any doubts about him, I’d tell you to slow down and guard your heart.”
She would do that. She told me to be careful the first time Chris told me he wasn’t sure about us, but like any good girlfriend, she was still supportive and hoped things would work out for me. When they didn’t, she brought over wine and chocolate and let me cry on her shoulder. She never once said I told you so, even though she could have.
She wraps her hand around mine, which brings my attention back to her.
“I really do believe that he is who he says he is. I think he’s exactly what you said earlier—sweet, funny, and totally into you.”
“I really hope so,” I say, and just as I do, Bruce lifts his head. I hear the front door open, and Bruce gets up off the floor, rushing with his tail wagging and claws tapping the hardwood as he runs for his dad. I smile, because I know Tyler is home, and Chrissie grins at me from across my small table.
“I should go.” She starts to stand, but I stop her, keeping my hand wrapped around hers and holding her in place. I don’t want her to go. I miss spending time with her and really want her to get to know Tyler. I never wanted that before—her to get to know anyone I was with.
“Stay for dinner.”
She laughs. “Leah, babe, it’s eight. My dinner tonight consisted of good conversation, wine, and cupcakes. If I eat any more, I won’t be able to fit in my jeans tomorrow.”
“Crap.” I look at the clock to confirm she’s right. I lost track of time and didn’t even think about Tyler coming home after working all day and being hungry. “I suck as a girlfriend,” I state, my shoulders slumping.
“Why’s that?” Tyler asks, resting his hand on my shoulder, and I tip my head back to look at him. I notice that he has a bag in hand, and from the scent of curry wafting from it, it’s Indian food.
“I didn’t make dinner,” I tell him, and he bends over, giving me an upside-down kiss that rivals the one in Spider-Man, because it leaves me completely breathless.
“You sent a text. I knew Chrissie was here, so I brought dinner. I figured wine and cake wouldn’t cut it.” He glances at the four cupcakes still sitting on the table in a light-yellow box. “Though, from the small taste I just got, those are gonna be good.”
“They’re delicious,” I tell him, and he grins at me, then lifts his head.
“Hey, Chrissie.”
“Tyler.”
I know by the sound of her voice that if I look at my friend’s face, I’ll see my own look reflected back at me. Total and complete awe, because men like him aren’t real.
“I got enough food for the three of us. I hope you’ll stay for dinner, even though it’s late.”
“I’ll stay,” she agrees instantly, the thought of fitting into her jeans tomorrow long gone in the presence of my man.
“Good.” He gives her a smile and me another upside-down kiss, this one shorter than the one before. He lets me go and heads for the counter, where he drops the bag. “Thanks, baby, for getting Bruce’s tag and new collar.”
“No biggie.” At my statement, his expression warms, and I swear I feel that warmth seeping into every cell in my body as I look into his eyes across the space between us.
