Page 81 of Unsure in Love

Pursing my lips, I accepted the truth. Okay, I was beyond thirsty for the tall, hot, broody one. My sigh echoed my longing for him. “Latin Lover.”

Laughter floated around the room. “Yeah, that’s what you called him.”

“I met up with him in New York,” I confessed. “Spending time with him…” Twirling the bottle in my hand, I reminisced about my time with Damian. “It was amazing, Tess. I’ve never met a man who understands me like he does, who’s as patient as he is with my madness. You know how Lucy tried to run from her love for Nic for years?”

She nodded. “Or how April almost lost out on her chance with Julian?” she added.

“Because they were terrified of the intense feelings they felt for someone who had the power to hurt them.” I sighed. “Well, I’m in that position now. Damian stole my heart and now he has so much power over me. The thing is, logically, I know he won’t deliberately hurt me because he’s such a decent man. He’s amazing.”

Tessa leaned closer. “But?”

“I’m so messed up that my heart refuses to follow my brain. I’m terrified of committing only to have him realize one day that he wants more.” I shrugged. “And he leaves me to suffer Mom’s fate.” I wiped away the pesky tears that rolled down my left cheek.

Tessa watched with a hint of amazement. I’d always been the tough one out of the five of us. I didn’t cry. I lashed out with humor or snark when necessary. Getting emotional like this was showing weakness, in my opinion.

“Oh, Cass.” Tessa blew out a long breath. “You’re not Mom, and Damian isn’t Dad.” She looked skyward. “Look, maybe I’m the last person who should be giving advice about this kind of thing. I’m just as scared and skeptical as you are, but I’ve never seen you like this. Maybe Damian is good for you.” Eying me cautiously, she added, “And maybe you should just… be with him…”

I stared at her. If only it were that easy. “He lives in New York.”

“People work with long-distance relationships.”

“He’s filthy rich and so out of my league.”

Tessa rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. What does money have to do with anything?”

“It might not work out—”

“Damn it, Cass, stop finding every excuse not to give the man a chance.”

My mouth opened and shut. Kudos to the ever-sweet Tessa for calling me out on my shit. “I might have ruined things.”

“How? Did you two fight before you left?”

“On the contrary, we barely spoke. It was my fault. I shut down.”

Because of my conversation with Henry. That interaction sent me right back to square one of being terrified of falling for someone. I shifted uneasily in my chair because I felt so guilty for not mentioning Henry. I shook my head.

“He hasn’t called. I haven’t even gotten a text.”

Tessa sat back with a sigh. “Oh. Have you reached out?”

Ducking my head, I muttered, “No.”

“Then call the man, damn it.”

I lifted an eyebrow and studied her with amusement. “Since when are you so bossy?”

“Since my baby sister is pining away over a man she pushed away. Lucy and April are on cloud nine with their men. I want the same for you.”

“What about you?”

Tessa wrinkled her nose. “Eh. We don’t all get a happy ending with Prince Charming. I’m okay with that.”

My gaze narrowed on her expressive face. She was such a liar. I didn’t call her out because she averted her gaze and started fidgeting, and I didn't want to add to her discomfort.

I’d take her advice though and reach out to Damian. Maybe I should try to explain to him why I’d gone cold on him before I left…

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