“What about the bars?” I asked.
“They’ll have a release lock. Otherwise you’d be trapped in here in case of a fire.”
“Or kidnapping,” I murmured, thinking of Nelson’s dire predictions.
Doug dropped his head. “I know. This house is the worst.”
“It’s a before picture. Owen was right to snag it before someone else did.” Why were we talking about real estate? But my pride kept me from going back to a topic that would only lead to more rejection. How could he kiss me like that, knowing I’d just admitted I loved him, and then not be able to meet my gaze?
He found the release latch for the bars, and they popped up. “Come here, and I’ll give you a boost.”
Without any furniture in the room, I’d have to scratch my way up the wall to get out on my own. I took off my sandals, not wanting to dig them into his fingers when he gave me a foothold.
I tossed them out the window before turning to look at him. His face held so much sadness mixed with longing, and I suddenly realized I’d read the situation all wrong. He’d been talking about hidden cameras. He hadn’t believed me. Still didn’t. He thought my confession was an act.
I couldn’t fix it right then. I didn’t have any proof it wasn’t all an act. Not with the mind games the show had used on him. But I would.
I put my foot into the palms of his hands and pulled myself up using his shoulders as leverage. Once I was up on the window sill, I scooted forward and hopped out, finding my shoes below.
“Okay, your turn, Doug.”
His shoulders and arms flexed as he pulled his body through the window, and I laughed at how easily I could turn our emergency into a chance to check him out.
“Yes, this is so funny.” He hopped down next to me, letting out a huge sigh.
“I do love you, Doug. I’ll prove it.”
His jaw tightened.
Okay, enough torturing him today. He had a stubborn streak that wouldn’t hear me no matter how I said it right now. Unfortunately for him, my stubborn streak was stronger. I’d regroup and find a better way to show him how I felt.
He moved around me to close and re-latch the window. I texted my security guy, and went to go buzz him in when he reached the gate. Doug gave me a half-hearted wave from his front door when I left.
