Page 91 of Guarding My Love

“Because I haven’t always wanted to upset people. I don’t seem to have that issue with you by the sounds of it.”

It was her dry tone of voice that had him snorting.

“I’m not upset.”

“Annoyed,” she said. “Sorry, confused.”

“That’s better,” he said. “Confused.”

“Maybe you’re not the only one confused,” she said.

“Why are you?” he asked. “Because you think I’m someone else? Because I’m not the typical guy you date?”

“No to the first one. Yes to the second.”

“You don’t think I’m someone else now?” he asked.

“No,” she said. “I’m not sure how I can get you to believe me other than keep saying it or showing it to you. But showing it to you takes time and you’ll have to figure it out. You’ve said before I’m one of the most truthful people you know, right?”

“Yes,” he said.

“Then believe me when I tell you that once you explained everything to me on Friday, I understood it. I don’t think you’ve changed or are trying to be someone you aren’t to make me happy.”

“Then what did you have to talk to your sister about?” he asked.

“Maybe I’m scared,” she said quietly.

“About what?” he asked.

“The second part of what I said. You’re so different from everyone else I’ve dated and what I feel for you is stronger.”

“Why is that a bad thing?” he asked. “Do you think I don’t feel the same way?”

He’d said before he felt the same as her, but it’s not like she’d said she loved him again either since last weekend.

He was happy she wasn’t one of those women who said it all the time. Or that would do it in hopes of getting him to repeat the words.

“I know you do,” she said softly.

That was something at least.

“Then what?”

“It’s different. I love that you’re not like anyone else and maybe I do worry that the newness would wear off on me and I don’t want that to happen.”

Not what he wanted to hear.

“Because I’m younger.”

She playfully slapped his arm. “Will you stop saying that? If you don’t, I’m going to start calling you my boy toy.”

He laughed. “No one has ever said that.”

“That’s right,” she said. “It’s a year. To me we are about the same age.”

“I think so,” he said.

“Then why do you keep making jokes about being younger?” she asked. “Or is it just a joke and nothing more? I worry it’s a dig more than anything.”

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