Page 95 of Forbidden King (Magnolia Falls)

“So, this is just a catch-up lunch? There’s no agenda?”

“I mean, I may have a slight agenda.”

“Give it to me, girl.” I raised a brow.

“You are so ridiculous sometimes. This is not a big deal. I’ve noticed that you and Saylor hang out a lot. I just wanted to touch base with you on that.”

I rubbed my hands together when Letty arrived with our food and announced that it was made with my special cheese, which made Ruby laugh.

I took a bite of my sandwich before looking at her again. “Why not go to Saylor about this?”

“I have. She’s really tight-lipped. And I get it because Hayes wouldn’t be okay with it, right?”

“Correct.” I nodded, not wanting to say much because I hated lying to the people I loved.

“That’s not what I’m here about, King. I’m here because I care about you, and I care about her. So, I wanted to ask you a few things because I thought you might be feeling like you have no one to talk to. I want you to know that you can talk to me, okay? And we could do it in a way that wouldn’t be saying anything that you don’t want to say.”

I barked out a laugh. “Okay, Rubes. What would you like to talk about?”

“Well, let’s just say I have a situation at work that I could use your help on.”

“Sure. What is it?” I reached for my soda again.

“One of my teenagers is having a fling with his best friend’s sister. If you were a psychic, would you think it’s just a fling and he’s going to break her heart? Or would you say the feelings probably run deeper? Because the girl, she’s something. She’s really special, and I would hate to see her get hurt.”

Unbelievable.

Ruby had always been more observant than everyone else. She was basically a therapist out at the juvenile detention center where River and Romeo had spent some time as teenagers.

“If I were a betting man—which I’m not—I’d say that it’s probably not a fling. I don’t think he’d go there if he thought it was just a physical thing. I’m guessing he has deep feelings for her, but he doesn’t know what to do with them.”

And damn if it didn’t feel good to talk about it without admitting anything that could get my dick cut off.

Her lips turned up in the corners, and her eyes watered a bit, which was very out of character for Ruby. It made it obvious that she’d been worrying about this for a while. “That’s what I was hoping. But why would he be hesitant about feeling that way?”

“Well, maybe he’s never had a relationship that wasn’t casual. And no one he’s ever been with has been his best friend’s sister, so it complicates things. How does he figure out if he’s even capable of being that guy when he isn’t allowed to even go there without being a hundred percent certain that he won’t mess it up? It’s not like he can test the waters as if it were a normal relationship.” I bit off the top of a french fry. “Your teenager is totally fucked.”

“Well, here’s the thing. He’s a really good guy. Like, one of the best I’ve ever known.” She smiled, and I chuckled. “So, he should figure out why he’s so fearful of relationships. Is it because he can’t be monogamous or because he’s afraid of loving someone? Two valid reasons right there.”

I finished chewing. “That’s nice that you like him so much. I’ll bet he’s really good-looking, too.”

“He’s all right. He’s got this older brother, though, and that guy is hot as hell.” She fanned her face, and we both laughed.

“Lucky him. So, the monogamous thing is not an issue. I’m guessing this guy doesn’t want to be with anyone else.”

“Interesting. So it’s all about the fear, isn’t it?”

“I didn’t say that. I just said it wasn’t about being monogamous. At least it wouldn’t be for me, but obviously, we aren’t talking about me.” I winked.

“Obviously not.”

“For me, I have never been in a long-term relationship, and it isn’t because I can’t be monogamous. It’s because I hadn’t found anyone that I wanted to be monogamous with. But it sounds like your troubled teen has found that person, so hats off to him.”

“So if it’s not about being monogamous, it’s got to be about fear. It’s the only valid explanation.”

“Fear of what, Dr. Rose?” I waggled my brows and feigned disinterest, when I was dying to know.

“Fear of failure. Fear of loss. Fear of letting anyone down.” She leaned forward, gaze locked on mine. “You see this kid I’m working with… he lost his parents at a young age. He and his brother both handled that loss differently.”

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