Page 117 of Fierce-Gabe

“I’m good that way. I figured it out,” she said proudly.

“Because I was an idiot and made a mistake not thinking.”

She remembered how Chloe’s car was in Royce’s driveway when she’d driven by on New Year’s Day over a year ago. Then later saw the car at their office after Chloe had come over for a meeting and put the two together.

Royce had confessed then that he’d had something going with Chloe. Not a relationship per her brother, or at least not what he’d admit at that time.

She’d called him a jerk for a friends-with-benefits situation, but he’d said it was between him and Chloe.

“Guess I did that day too and didn’t even know it,” she said.

“How are things going with you two?”

“Good,” she said. “Want to double date?”

“We can go out if you want,” Royce said.

“I’m just kidding.”

“I’m not. Gabe is a great guy, but I’m more worried about my sister and how she is handling things.”

“I’m fine,” she said. “Why do you say that?”

“Because I know you. Are things moving faster than you thought they might?”

She sighed. She probably needed to talk to someone about this and it was better than talking to Gabe until she was sure.

“It’s not like he’s putting pressure on me or anything. Don’t think that.”

“I don’t,” Royce said. “Do you love him?”

“That’s personal, Royce.”

“It is. You always get personal with me too.”

She sighed. “I think I love him. How do I know? I haven’t felt like this before.”

She was glad her father wasn’t here. She didn’t want him to know about this conversation. She was pretty sure Royce wouldn’t say a word.

“Is it scary?” Royce asked.

“Very.”

“If you went a few days without talking to him how would you feel?”

“Anxious,” she said, smiling. “But we talk or text every day.”

More than they used to but not in each others face either. She felt it was a nice mix.

“If you two went your own way, how would it feel?”

Her heart was pounding so loud she was sure Royce could hear it too.

“I can’t even put it in words.”

“Then it’s love,” Royce said. “And when you call Mom back, remember that. Plain and simple. Nothing she can say can make it less than that.”

She felt her eyes fill. It was exactly what she needed to hear.

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