“How very dare you?” he gasps in mock outrage around a laugh.
“You totally deserved that.”
“Yeah, yeah. What I’m trying to say is, don’t worry about it. If you put too much pressure on things, it’s a recipe for disaster. Enjoy the moment and be yourself. She’ll totally fall for you.”
My hearts flutter happily at his words.
“I really hope so because I think I’m already past the point of no return.”
“Duh,” Sasha replies dryly.
“Bitch,” I snark back.
“The baddest one you know,” he agrees proudly.
I lean back in my chair with a sigh. “I’m doing my best not to rush forward as if I’m chasing a shooting star, even though I totally want to. I’m holding myself back so I go at Gemma’s pace.”
“Love hasn’t made you lose sight of all reason, then. Thank fuck.”
“Barely. But that’s because Gemma and I totally have a deep connection I can’t lose. In other words, I don’t want to fuck it all up.”
“Everyone has those kinds of fears. Love is fucking scary. You’re making yourself vulnerable.” He shudders. “Not my favorite, but when you find the right partner, it’s worth it.”
“Seeing how happy you and Kheph have been this past year, and more recently witnessing Najar and Felix fall in love, I’ve yearned to find the same kind of connection with someone.Then, like a gift from Thekmis, Gemma manifested in my life, and I don’t want to lose her.”
“You’re worrying over nothing, but I get it. Love makes you a bit bonkers. You second-guess yourself and angst over the dumbest things. It’s basically like reverting to your hormonal teenage self. Ugh.”
He’s got an annoying point there.
“How did Gemma take your gift? If ever there was a romantic gesture, that was it, my friend.”
I beam. “She loved it, cheesiness and all.” I sigh dreamily. “And she kissed the ever-loving hell out of me at the end.”
I’ve burned that memory into my brain for all time.
Sasha arches an eyebrow. “See? You’re killing it in the relationship department. Quit stressing.”
“I don’t want to seem too needy or codependent.”
Sasha eyes me skeptically. “I can’t imagine you being codependent with anyone.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Well, you’ve never seen me in love until now, either.”
“Touché.”
“I can get a little… overzealous.”
Sasha snickers. “Yet another way you and Khephren are eerily similar. You’re just a whole hell of a lot snarkier than him.”
My shoulders slump in defeat. I know he’s right. “When I love someone, I want to give them my all, but I can sometimes get too wrapped up in the amazing euphoria love brings.”
“Hmm, understandable,” Sasha says. “Love makes us do wacky shit. Hell, look at me. I fucking hated Christmas until I met Khephren, and while I wouldn’t say I love it in the same way he does, he’s definitely made me a convert. If that ain’t the power of love, I don’t know what is.”
It’s my turn to snicker.
“So what’s your plan?” he asks, leaning back again and folding his hands over his stomach.
I think back on Madam Aurora’s advice. “I’m planning to be as supportive and loving as I can without sending Gemma running for the next solar system.”
