Page 120 of Rough Around the Hedges

Did he really feel that way?

I wasn’t sure I could handle it if he did.

ME: Maybe you should just stay in London forever.

OLIVER: No. How could I leave you alone?

My lips twitched. My heart ached. My nose itched.

This.

This was what I couldn’t handle.

These… Feely feelings.

ME: I’d really rather prefer if you did.

OLIVER: Someone needs to supervise you. Isadora isn’t very good at it.

True, that.

ME: I don’t need supervision. I’m not a child.

OLIVER: All right. Maybe I’d just miss you if I never saw you again, princess.

ME: I’m sure you can find a therapist in London to snap you out of that alternate universe.

OLIVER: It’s a shame it’s a weekend and they’re not in the office, or I’d see if anyone could squeeze me in to knock some sense into me right now since I appear to be missing you.

ME: You miss me?

OLIVER: I keep expecting you to burst through my front door and complain about something. It’s very strange.

ME: I don’t burst through your front door. I knock and enter nicely, then complain.

OLIVER: You could just say that you miss me too, you know.

ME: Why would I do that? I’m having the best day ever. There’s no grouchy, mean duke to interrupt our party.

OLIVER: You’re breaking my heart, princess.

ME: Ah, we’re finally in an even relationship.

OLIVER: So, you won’t admit that you miss me, but you’ll admit that we’re in a relationship?

Shit.

Why did I say that?

ME: Of course we have a relationship. Just like I have one with George and Susan and Shauna and Paula and everyone else.

OLIVER: You’re impossible.

ME: Can’t be. I exist.

OLIVER: And thank goodness you do.

My heart skipped a beat.

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