Page 5 of Love Potion

“We’ll see.”

Bane fidgets, picking at the cuticle on his thumbnail. It’s his tell for when he has something to say but isn’t sure he wants to say it.

“Just say what’s on your mind, Bane.”

He blows out a breath, fixing his gaze on my face. “Alec said some pretty insensitive shit to you when you ended it. You haven’t forgotten that, have you?”

Forgotten it? As if I could. Alec’s words are sprayed like graffiti on my psyche, along with the dozens of other unkind labels and adjectives I’ve gathered up since puberty.

“Of course not. If I’m being honest, I’m more curious than interested in seeing him.”

Bane nods, and as his jaw slowly relaxes, I reach over and rub his back.

“Thanks for caring so much.”

He scoffs. “That’s dumb to say.”

“It’s not. I don’t take you for granted.”

“I know.” His expression softens as he smiles. “I don’t want to have to beat someone’s ass for hurting you, that’s all.”

I laugh softly. “It won’t come to that. I’ll have a drink with the guy, endure awkward conversation for a little bit, then we’ll both return to our separate lives.”

“Yeah.”

I chew on my bottom lip for a second, a burning question on the tip of my tongue. “What about you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Dating. You haven’t dated at all since we’ve been back in Willow Bay. Even before that.”

He waves dismissively, but I grab his hand and gently squeeze it.

“I’m serious. You’re putting your life on hold for me? I don’t like that. Just because I don’t want to be out there, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be.”

A deep crease appears between his eyebrows. “I know what I’m doing.”

“Do you? We’ve watched all our friends find love in this town. You deserve that too, but unless you get lucky like Indy did, they probably won’t walk into the bar.”

Bane chuckles softly. “He hit a home run, didn’t he?”

“Indy always lands on his feet, but don’t change the subject.”

Bane rolls his eyes as he leans back. “I’m just not into it right now, that’s all. A lot’s been going on since we moved back, and I’ve had different priorities.”

“Like? Playing the latest video games with me?”

“Hell yeah.” He playfully shoves my arm. “Seriously though, Jerr. I needed this time to settle into this new life, and spending time with you and the guys was part of that. I don’t miss romance right now, and when I do, I’ll do something about it.”

“That’s fair. Sometimes I think I’m holding you back.”

“Not even a little bit.” He smiles again, and this time it’s genuine. “I’ve kissed plenty of frogs. They’ll still be there when I’m ready.”

I laugh softly. “There’s a prince out there somewhere.”

He nods, holding my gaze. “I know.”

Sometimes I wonder silly things, like what could’ve been if I were normal. Would Bane see me as an option then? If I could create the perfect boyfriend for me, it would be him. We just fit. But Bane needs and deserves a complete relationship, one that includes the physical part of things, and I’m not sure I could live up to that.

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