Page 113 of Third Chances (Men of Manhattan 2)

"He's an addict."

Alina laughed. "His friend drugged him. He's not an addict. That's quite a leap."

"No. He told me. And I freaked out. I just thought that if I let myself get close to Rob, that would mean I'd be close to James and I can't go through that again. I can't do that."

"But, Daphne, you don't know his situation."

"I know that. And I told myself that I wouldn't let it bother me. I was just projecting all my problems onto them. But it's not just that. Rob is so different from me. I just got so overwhelmed with everything. I told Rob that I didn't need him. I told him I needed to figure out what I wanted on my own. I was wrong though. I want him. What if I missed out on my chance of starting over?"

"Do you know how I knew I loved Bryce?"

I shook my head.

"He made me laugh when I was sad. And he was there for me when I needed him."

I bit my lip. "Rob makes me laugh. And he tried to be there for me, but I pushed him away."

Alina grabbed my phone off the couch. "So call him and tell him that you need him."

I took my cell from Alina. "But if I need him, what happens when he leaves me?"

"Daphne, not everyone leaves. Sometimes you just need to take that leap of faith."

"He would have already called me back if he wanted to talk to me."

"Texts are emotionless. He needs to hear your voice."

"I don't know."

Alina sighed. "Do you like the way he makes you feel?"

I nodded. "I'm so out of my comfort zone with him. But I like that. I think he's good for me. He makes me feel like I'm fun." I laughed.

"You know, you've smiled more this weekend than you have in the last month. Are you really ready to let go of that feeling?"

"No." I didn't want to let go.

"Then stop being a wuss and call him."

I frowned.

"Tough love, Momma Bear."

"Are you guys seriously going to keep calling me that?"

"What would you prefer that we called you? Girl who's scared to call the man she loves?"

"I don't love Rob."

"Don't you? You should really stop fighting things so much. It's kind of exhausting, isn't it?"

"It's too soon to love him."

"There aren't rules and timelines for these things. Love is love. And the way he makes you feel...I don't know another way to describe that feeling. Now call him before I do."

I knew Alina wasn't joking. Sometimes her and Kristen would prank call the boys I liked in high school just to torment me. "I'll call him, geesh."

Alina laughed.

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