Page 69 of Princess

“Yes. Those exact words. But that was during…”

“Ah.”

“So maybe it doesn’t count.”

“I don’t know.” She pauses to think for a few moments. “Travis means what he says in bed, but I guess some men don’t. Probably depends on the man.”

“Yeah. And he’s said a bunch of other sexy stuff, but that may or may not count.” I take a couple of slow breaths. “He said he wants to be the one who gives me what I need.”

“Nice.” Layne’s eyes are big and wide. “What else?”

“He’s said he wouldn’t have anything left in this world if something happened to me.”

“Okay, seriously? That sounds like a declaration of love. You really don’t think he has feelings for you?”

“I guess he has feelings. I mean, saying all this is making me wonder if I’m worrying for nothing. In bed, I always feel like he... it always feels right.But he’s been acting kind of distant lately otherwise. I only ever see him at night.”

She chews on her bottom lip as she thinks. “And you don’t want to just tell him you love him and wait to see what he says back?”

I shy back slightly at the thought.

“Okay,” she says with another giggle. “I probably wouldn’t be able to do that either. It’s the advice that everyone gives, but most of us can’t really follow. I bet he probably does love you but maybe doesn’t think you feel the same way. So we’ve got to figure out what to do.”

“About what?” The male voice surprises us both. Travis has come back into the apartment with their luggage and their dog.

Layne slants me a look. “Can we tell him? He’ll probably be able to give you better advice than I can. He knows all about being a taciturn man.”

I hesitate. Travis looks silently between Layne and me and then back again. Then finally I nod.

“Okay, great. Travis, you’ve got to help us. Olivia isn’t sure whether the man she loves, loves her back, and we’re trying to figure out what to do to break the stalemate.”

“All right,” he says slowly, pulling up the second chair in the room and lowering his long body into it. “You don’t want to just ask him?”

“She’s nervous to do that,” Layne responds before I have to come up with an excuse. “Isn’t there something you can think of that might kind of push him into it? He acts like he’s into her, but he doesn’t say anything. So she’s not sure if Grant really loves—”

“Wait!” he cuts in, stiffening his back and looking quickly over to me. “Wait a minute. You’re talkin’ about Grant?”

“Of course I’m talking about him. Who else would I be talking about?” I’d assumed Travis had seen enough of us to know that Grant and I are a couple.

“Don’t know. Thought maybe you had some other guy on the side, and I was feelin’ like shit for Grant. Didn’t think you’d be wonderin’ about howhefeels for you.”

“Why not?” Layne asks.

He gives his head a little shake. “Thought it pretty obvious. That man is crazy ’bout her.”

Layne claps her hands in excitement. “So you think he really loves her?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Then why won’t he say anything?” I ask, crossing my arms over my stomach and hugging myself a little. I’m feeling better. And also self-conscious. And also jumpy and excited and confused.

“No clue. Probably scared shitless that you don’t love him back.” He turns his head and smiles fondly at Layne. “Just like I was.”

Layne reaches out to take his hand, but her eyes are focused on me. “Well, that’s encouraging. Maybe you don’t need to worry so much.”

“Maybe.” I’m more hopeful than I was, but it doesn’t help with figuring out the next step. “But I still don’t know what to do.”

“Scare him,” Travis says without any hesitation.

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