“Of course I do.” She nods a few times.
“I hoped you’d arrive and I’d feel it. I really did, because you’re lovely, Brook. Except…”
“You can’t stop thinking about her.”
I shake my head. “Nope. I saw her last weekend and my dragon about lost his mind. I look at her, and everything’s instantly better. Except it isn’t better, because a second later, I remember I let her go.” I exhale through my nose. “That’s not even true. You can’t let go of someone who was never yours to begin with. It’s complicated. I can’t really get into all of it.”
“Is she serious about this other male?”
“I don’t know. All I know is that it’s new, so maybe not.” I shrug one shoulder. “She’s a little young for me, anyway.”
Brook gives me a long look, head angled, eyes narrowed in a way that’s edging toward amused.
“What?” I ask.
“What’s too old?”
“I’m almost fourteen years her senior. That’s ancient. Fuck! It would be cradle-snatching.”
She starts laughing. “Ancient? Really? Doesshethink you’re ancient?”
“She says she doesn’t. She told me that I don’t look my age, and I know that she is…was attracted to me.”
“I’m sure she is attracted to you, Magma. You’re a good-looking, excellent specimen of a male. How old do you think I am?”
I shrug. “Is this a loaded question?” I laugh. “I don’t know. I must say, I never really thought about it.”
“Why not? And before you answer, I’m twenty-seven.”
I give her a look. Shit! She’s younger than Carla.
“You say you never gave it any thought when it came to me, but you hoped to feel attracted to me?” she asks.
“Again, is this a loaded question?” I check, lifting my brows.
“Not at all.” She shakes her head. “I think you’re making excuses,” she adds. “That’s the point I’m trying to make.”
“Not you, too.”
“What?” She smiles, all teeth.
“Flint’s been giving me so much shit. Ridge, too, although less lately because he’s been too busy falling in love and planning a wedding. Anyway. Now you’re piling on as well.”
“I guess I am.” She settles back. “I’m going to tell you how I see it.”
We pull into the chapel’s lot. I park, but neither of us reaches for the door.
“Okay.” I turn toward her. “I’m all ears.”
“I don’t know your reasons, but you’re holding back and making excuses even though you are in love with this female. If you ask me, you’re scared. The usual culprit is fear. You’re scared of taking the next step with her, so you come up with reasons why not to go after her. She’s too young, she’s seeing someone else, she’s not interested… Do you get the pattern?”
“I guess I do…and maybe you’re right.”
“I’m pretty sure I am. This is all quite easy to solve.”
“How?” I ask like an idiot.
“How about having an actual conversation with her? Tell her how you feel. Ask her how she feels. It doesn’t sound like you’ve done that part yet. You’ve been avoiding it out of fear.”
