Page 77 of Damaged Prince
“Love you.” She tries to blow me a kiss, but the flowers get in the way. She turns around and runs off in the opposite direction.
“So, what’s the big deal over lunch?” I ask, reaching Justin.
“I said I can’t...” he frowns, looking around. “Where did Winter go?”
“She said she will be back. Going to put the flowers in her car.”
“Oh.” He looks around the courtyard like a love-sick fool, and I can’t help but smile. My girl has nothing to worry about, it seems.
“Speaking of Winter. Do you like her?”
“What?” Justin frowns. “Of course I do.”
“No, Justin. Do you really like her, like have feelings for her? Not just sexual attraction. Like do you want to date her? Make her your girlfriend?”
His cheeks heat up, and oh my god, it’s so cute. “It doesn’t matter,” he grumbles. “She likes girls.”
“Yes. But that doesn’t answer my question. Do youlikeher?”
“Don’t make me say it. I feel stupid enough as it is.”
“Tell me.” I poke his arm.
“Fine, okay. I like her. A lot. And it scares me because I don’t get crushes. I fuck, I move on. That's it. But with Winter. I don’t know. I like being around her. She makes me smile and laugh. And when I see her, my insides get all funny. I don’t like it. But I also crave the next time I get to feel like that again.”
“God, you're so cuteeee!” I squeal. “You are so into her.”
“And it fucking sucks because I can’t have her.”
“I wouldn’t be so quick to write that off.”
Justin stops, eyes widening. “What do you know?” he questions.
“I know things,” I laugh.
“Tell me, woman!” he demands.
“Stop,” I laugh. “Look, just talk to the girl, okay? You won’t know if you have a chance if you don’t try.”
“I swear if you're sending me into battle to be destroyed, I’ll really be hurt, Laney.”
“Hey.” All joking is gone from my tone. “I wouldn’t do that, okay? You're important to me. So is Winter. I wouldn’t do anything that would hurt either of you. Trust me, talk to her. Please.”
He blinks, staring at me for a moment. “Okay...” he says, dragging out the word. “But I’m trusting you.”
“And I’m thankful you are.” I pat his arm.
***
After texting Winter that I believe she had nothing to worry about, she rushed over to the food court and has been sitting next to me, giving Justin shy eyes for the past fifteen minutes.
As cute as it is, I’m starting to wonder what the heck is going on and why Justin wanted to bring me to lunch?
“There he is,” Justin announces, eyes lighting up in amusement at something behind me.
“What?” I frown, about to look behind me, when a bouquet of roses appears in front of my face. Then another.
“What is this?” I ask, looking up with a massive smile on my face. Both Eli and Logan are standing next to me, glaring at one another over my head.
