Page 37 of Make Me Crazy (Loco, Texas 2)

Rand felt her heart squeeze at his honest admission. Red was lonely; Red wanted to make a commitment to her, not just for a year, but for the rest of their lives. “So, by a life together, you mean…I mean, you want…” She swallowed, and pushed her peas at her potatoes. “You want sex.”

“Well, yeah. I mean, if we’re going to go through the whole thing, I was thinking we could at least try to see if the feelings are there.” There was a pregnant pause before he added, “I know I have those kind of feelings for you, but do you…d

o you think of me that way?”

Did she? Red was handsome and funny, with a sweet side not many people saw. He was protective and loyal, but if she couldn’t do what he wanted, would it ruin their friendship?

“I need time,” she blurted.

He lost his smile. “Time for what?”

She didn’t exactly know, but she answered as best she could. “I just need a little time to think.”

“How long’s a little time?” His tone was mild, but there was a slight edge to it.

She hesitated before suggesting, “A few days?”

He was silent for a time, making her feel vulnerable and nervous. When he finally said, “Fine.” She let out her breath loudly.

“Thank you. It’s not that I don’t appreciate your offer, I was just trying to avoid dragging you and…and Jake into my problem,” she explained.

“I think you already managed to drag Jake in.” He must have seen her wince, because he apologized. “I’m sorry, that was low. You’re my friend Rand. There isn’t much I wouldn’t do for you.”

Oh, don’t say things like that. You’re making me feel worse.

The sound of his laughter broke through her thoughts. “What’s so funny?”

“Scout just grabbed another piece of chicken off the counter.”

She jumped up and chased the cat down the hallway. “Why didn’t you stop her?”

“I was distracted,” he called after her.

She slid into the room, fell to her knees, and lifted the dust ruffle up. Staring under the bed at the reflective eyes of her cat, she hissed, “If you think I’m giving you any tuna this week, you’ve got another thing coming.”

Her only answer was a high growl and the sound of munching.

Rand escorted Red to the door after dinner and as she walked him to the porch, she wondered what Jake would say if she said yes.

Stop worrying about Jake. He knew you’d have to pick someone eventually.

“So, I guess I’ll call you tomorrow or something.” he asked, leaning against the door of his truck.

“Sure, sounds good,” she said, stiffening when he stood back up and grabbed one of her hands. Reeling her into him, her stomach fluttered nervously as she found herself in his arms. “What are you doing?”

He paused long enough to lick his lips.“This.”

She knew what was going to happen, but when his lips touched hers she wasn’t prepared for the…

Nothing. No tingles. No electricity. And definitely no roller-coaster-stomach-flipping-pleasure.

When he pulled away from her, she tried not to look as disappointed as she felt. Stepping away from his arms, she said, “I’ll talk to you later.”

Nodding, he opened the door to his truck and climbed in, leaving her to contemplate what her lack of reaction meant.

“Hey! Earth to Rand!”

Rand shook herself out of her daze and blushed as Tabby and Jamie watched her expectantly. “Sorry, what did you say?”

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