Page 17 of The Daredevil

“I don’t know.” My attraction to him could have distorted my perception of everything. Could I be seeing what Iwantedto be true?

“Then we must find out,” Audri said. “Kiera, babe, we need to come up with a plan for our girl.”

“I didn’t call you because I needed a plan. I just wanted to . . . I don’t know.”

“You wanted us to make a tough decision you couldn’t make yourself. We got you!” Kiera said with a laugh.

My friends were obviously enjoying this.

“I don’t want to ruin our friendship. What if he’s not attracted and finds out that I am? It’ll be super awkward.”

“Who cares?” Kiera said.

“If it makes you feel better, Royce asked me about you a while ago. I think it was that time you had a big fight with Julian and looked sad. We met up at Grayson’s old house. I didn’t think much about it then, but now. . .”

I didn’t know what to say to that. “Maybe he was just concerned about a sad friend. That’s normal.”

“Could be,” Audri said. “He has looked at you when we all hung out. Maybe he stayed away because he thought you had a boyfriend.”

“He has eyes, solookingat me or anyone else isnormal.” I laughed at the ridiculousness of this conversation. Though a small part of me wondered if it could be true.

“Stop it with the maybe this, maybe that. Color me determined. We’re going to find out the truth,” Kiera said. “We’ll come up with something for you, babe. If you think of a plan before us, let us know. Sorry, but I’ve got to run now. Conference meeting with a new modeling agency that needs a photoshoot. We’ll chat later.”

“Don’t apologize. Go! I’ll come up with a fabulous plan.” I’d better because their scheme could put me in an embarrassing situation I would prefer not to be in.

“Oh, I can’t wait to hear it. See you tomorrow for dinner, Audri.” Kiera left the conversation.

“Remi is going to California tomorrow, so I invited Kiera over. We need another girls’ night out when you return.”

“Agreed,” I said.

After a moment of pause, Audri said, “I kind of know what you’re going through.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re attracted to Royce but afraid that if things don’t work out, it could ruin the dynamic between all of us, right? We’re all friends. Close friends.”

I knew she’d understand more than Kiera because she had experienced something similar.

“Somewhat. My situation isn’t like yours, though. Remi is your brother’s best friend. He grew up with you. I only met Royce through you. I’m not as close to him as you are. But I do value your friendship and Remi’s too. Royce is his buddy.” I dropped onto the couch, letting the cushion swallow me. “I don’t want things to be uncomfortable, you know?”

The situation looked like it was going to turn sideways. If Royce and I got together and hated each other, we’d be shooting darts with our eyes during group gatherings. Or avoid parties altogether.

“My advice is this—don’t overthink it. I did, and it drove me crazy. It delayed everything for us. Remi felt the same way too. Go with the flow, and everything will take care of itself. I know it’s easier said than done, but there’s no use worrying about something that hasn’t happened. If you like him, see if he likes you. You have all these feelings and concerns confusing you. Why not sort them out?”

Audri was right. My brain spun, trying to figure out what I should do.

“Maybe the SSG 003 mission will come to me.” I let out a chuckle. “I never thought I’d be in this situation.”

“What? You plan on being a nun for the rest of your life because of Julian?”

“No. I just didn’t think it would happen so soon. I wasn’t looking to meet anyone here.”

“The Universe whips you a surprise when you least expect it sometimes. Catch it, examine it, see what it wants from you. Your time for love has come. All the guys before were justpreparationfor the real deal.”

Audri and I chatted for a few more minutes until I heard Remi in the background. I released her to hang out with her lover before his trip and replayed the conversation with my friends.

They always made me feel better. Admitting my attraction to Royce made everything morereal, unavoidable. Even though I didn’t have a solution to my predicament, I knew what I had to do.

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