Page 22 of Red Flags Only

I know you want communication, but… to be fully honest, I’m not sure what to say toyou anymore. It feels different. You feel different.

I don’t know if this is ever going to work again. I can’t promise you that it will, all things considered. If it doesn’t… if this is my last letter to you…

Well, Jupiter really was a good friend to me, and I will always always treasure that.

Seriously, don’t accost women in their houses,

Lyra

P.S. I’ll expect a check for a new bed frame, Mr. Rich.

Hm. I don’t much like the sound of that. Except for that bit about me giving her money. I will gladly give her as much money as she likes. Everything else though? Not at all conducive to my plans for more Lyra high. She appears to be under the delusion that we won’t be speaking again – via letter or otherwise.

What a silly, silly girl.

I need her.

And, frankly, she needs me.

Lyra’s a romantic at heart. Soft and sweet and so willing to see the good in people that it gets her walked on, over and over again. In her bones, she wants to believe that there is beauty in this world and in every inhabitant of it. She isn’t weak for it, though. In many ways it makes her stronger than I could ever imagine being, but it does open her up to certain hurts and disappointments that someone more cynical could avoid.

Not to mention, as beautiful and wonderful as Lyra is, she never seems to understand it – to get that she is deserving of every single good thing the world has to offer. I wouldn’t argue thatI’ma good thing, but my friendship? That’s golden. Lyra should have someone who would crime for her. Someone who would kill for her.

That’s me.

And I’ll be flagged if she’s going to get rid of me.

So I guess I’ll just have to find a way to convince her not to.

Setting the letter aside, I lean back and ponder. Convincing Lyra to do something she doesn’t want to do? Normally not a difficult task. Doing it in a way that doesn’t feel manipulative, bulldozing, or just plain mean? Peak difficulty. I want her to feel loved and cared for, not harassed.

So where’s the balance? How do I spend time with her, encourage her, shield her, and receive the goodness that is just being near her without breaking her?

I frown at my windshield, eyes absently following Brianna’s boyfriend, Malor, as he approaches the post office, presumably to pick his girlfriend up for her lunch break. As he disappears inside the building, my head tilts, then it tilts the other way when he reappears with Brianna, arm thrown over her shoulder.

She laughs at something he says, more joyous than she’s ever been in my presence, and he smiles down at her, a man enthralled.

Ah.

I lean forward, observing them as he holds a car door for her, waiting until she’s safely inside the vehicle before shutting it. He whistles as he rounds the car, spinning his keys on his finger. A manthoroughlyenthralled.

Aha, aha.

I’m so stupid. It’s glaringly obvious.

The fastest way to get inspired by my adorably romantic bestie while protecting her from every bad thing this world has to offer?

I date her, of course.

Chapter Fourteen

Don’t consume tears. It’s probably illegal.

Lyra

Jove is at my house… again.

Is my home a magnet for Rogue brothers now? A visit from Jove where he strongarms me into writing him back has now turned into three –three!– Rogue visits, including this one. First, it was Jove, carving up my bed posts and demanding communication. Then, a few days later, Mars shows up “to buy flowers”. At my front door. After working hours, despite them being clearly listed on the sign he passed to reach my door.

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