Page 67 of Furever Loyal
“Like I said, it’s complicated,” she said with a slightly hysterical laugh. “I think we’re on the right trail for that, but it’s had us spending a lot of time together and we…we…” she couldn’t tell Dani, not yet.
“You slept with him? Is that what you’re trying to say?”
Haley sighed, relieved she hadn’t had to vocalize it. “Yes.”
“Okay. Was it good?”
Her face was burning, but Haley wasn’t about to exit the conversation now. She’d called for advice, and this was the only way she was going to get it. “Yes,” she answered. “Very.”
“Does he treat you nice?”
“Yes? Of course.”
“And he obviously has money. He’s handsome. Does he make you laugh?”
She smiled, then realized Dani couldn’t see it through the phone. “When he’s not teasing me.”
Dani laughed. “Yup. He likes you too. Listen, I don’t know him, so I can’t tell you for certain one way or another if he’s a good guy or not. You’re going to have to go with your gut on that one. All I can tell you, Haley, is that if he treats you well, has his life together aside from whatever you two are looking into right now, he’s good in bed, and most importantly he makes you laugh… Well, where’s the problem?”
Haley didn’t have an answer to that.
“How do you feel when you’re around him?”
“Safe. Comfortable. Warm. Nauseous. Nervous. All of the above.” Haley bit her lip just thinking about it.
“Haley, you like the guy. A lot.”
“I do?”
“You do.” Danielle paused. “When was the last time you dated? Or even went on a date?”
Haley mumbled her reply, too embarrassed to say it out loud.
“Did you just say college?” Dani gasped. “Please tell me I misheard.”
“Ummm.”
“No wonder you’re terrified! You’re so out of shape. Oh, my goodness. Okay. Have you and he talked about this yet? Actually addressed that there are feelings between you two?”
“How do you know he has feelings toward me?”
“He slept with you, and he teases you and makes you laugh. He also protects you, doing all the little things you don’t really notice, but makes you feel safe anyway. Trust me, he likes you.”
“You’re sure?”
“Haley, I’m a pro at this. I’ve had so many men like me before, I recognize the signs.” Dani’s voice dropped to a mutter. “It’s the next part I seem to have a problem with.”
“Which part is that?”
“Making them want to stay.”
Haley winced. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to bring it up.”
“Don’t be! I’m so excited you called me to ask me about this. I’ve been trying to get you to open up for ages now. What finally changed? Why did you choose to come to me out of everyone?”
“I…” she trailed off. The truth hurt to admit to herself, but to say it out loud made it real.Admitting it is a step toward fixing it.“I don’t have anyone else,” she heard herself say.
Dani inhaled audibly, but otherwise didn’t miss a beat. “Well, you’ve got me! Is there anything else you want to ask?”
