“The reason she doesn’t trust you is that she doesn’t trust herself. She knows this logically, but it doesn’t change anything. She’s terrified, I think, of making any real decisions on her own. I think it’s why she wanted to come on the tour. She’safraid of being left alone to make her own decisions.” I shake my head at how much Ryder got from her in such a short period. That jealousy bubbles againbecause I want to be the person she tells all of this to.
“She basically said that to me the day we left,” Dane nods in agreement.
“So, are you trying to tell me I shouldn’t tell her how I feel?”
“For now. Show her instead.They say actions speak louder than words. Then show her how you feel. Show her you’re safe. Somewhere inside of her, she already knows this.”
“Why the hell not,” I throw my hands up in resignation. “I’ve wanted her for years. I can wait until she sees.I just wonder how much longer that will be?”
“If she’s the one, as long as it takes.” I turn to see Angel standing in the door I never heard openwith his arms folded across his chest like he’s been there a while.
“Dude, you were miserable,” I remind him with a laugh.
His lips twitch at the smilethat wants to spread. Broody fucker. “Josie was the only one who could make me happy. Is Cara that for you?”
“I don’t know yet,” I tell him, even knowing that it’s not entirely true.
“Maybe that’s something you need to figure out because the girl can’t handle getting her heart broken.Trybeing her friend first.”
I won’t break her heart. If she’d give me half a chance,I would show her. I’d show her that I just want to be there for her and with her. Just like I want from her.
But I can’t do the friends thing. “Nothing I feel for her is platonic. I’ve always stayed away from her because I can’t just be friends with her. I want her too bad.”
I watch Dane from the corner of my eye. He turns red for a second, his nostrils flaring before he closes his eyes with asigh. “Try Jake. If Cara’s the one, you’ll know because it doesn’t matter if it'sfive years or fifty, you’ll only want her. If you can’t have her, then no one else will do.”
I consider what he says with a start. “Well, damn,” I mutter. If that’s whatthat means, then she’s definitely the one. She’s always been the one.
Cara
“You need a break from playing nanny,” Cami declares as wewait for the polish on our toes to dry. Lyra sits atthe table with a few crayons and her coloring sheets I printed off my portable printer.Her feet are stretched across the bench,waiting on her own toes to dry. It’s so freaking cute.
I look into Cami’s dark, mischievous eyes.“I’m notplayingnanny. I am the nanny.”
“But you need a break. You’re so stressed. More than you were at home, and you promised it wouldn’t happen.”
I flinch. I did promise this trip wouldn’t affect me. I meant it too. I had no idea that a certainblue-green-eyed man would have me tangled up in ways I don’t want.In ways, I can’t have.“I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine.Your shoulders are practically making out with your ears. You need to get laid.” I choke on my water while she laughs at my reaction.
“That’s not going to happen,” I frown at her.
Josephine just sits in her seat watching the tennis match between us with an amused expression.
“What is it with you needing to play matchmaker?”She did the same with Dane, or she tried.It turned out the only person he wanted was her.
“It’s not the same.” Josephine pointsat me with her lagoon eyes sparkling. “She wanted Dane to find love. She just wants you to find some dick.”My mouth falls open. Cami, I am well accustomed to speakingexactlywhat’s on her mind. Josephine is usually more filtered. “Oh, close your mouth. I’m nota prude.”
“Nope. She is definitely not that.” A grin crosses Cami’s face as she looksatJosephine. “A prude would never have sex on a bus withfive other people.”
“It wasn’t my fault.”Her grin is stretched all the way across her face.
“You didn’t tell him no,” Cami argues. “In fact, I do believe youspecifically told himnotto stop when he suggested it.”
A slow blush rolls across Josephine’scheeks. My eyes are wide,but I’m grinning.“It was so worth it,” she muses.
Cami turns her attention back to me with a grin. “Seriously, how long has it been?”
My own cheeksbegin to heat as I think about what nearly happened last night. I don’t tell her that. Instead, I continue to deflect and deny. “It hasn’t been that long.”
