He glances across the restaurant in the direction of the bathroom. “Does she have any idea how you really feel about her?”
“No.” My jaw tenses. “And I’m not going to say anything. You aren’t either.”
“But—”
“Just this morning, when we were hashing all this out, she confirmed that relationships are still way off her radar.”
“Besides getting married?” Dex guffaws. “I hate to break it to you, my man, but that’s a relationship. As far as I’m concerned, it’s kind of the primary one.”
“You know what I mean.” I pull in my brow. “Since Foster, Loren made it clear she’s done with men. And even if she hadn’t said those words, a lot, I wasn’t going to jump in right after … him.” Just saying the man’s name leaves a sour taste in my mouth.
“Yeah.” Dex bobs his head. “I get that. But it’s been months.”
“Exactly. Loren trusts me now. And she needs me. If I even hinted that my feelings were deeper, I’m afraid she might not let me do this for her. In her mind, we’re just a couple of friends, helping each other out. I can’t let hoping for more ruin this.”
“So you’re just gonna put a ring on her finger, move in with the woman, and pine away for her in silence?”
“Pretty much.”
“Good luck with that, man.”
My chest tightens. “I have zero expectations of us ever being anything but platonic friends,” I say. “That’s not what marrying her is about. I can promise you.”
“You don’t think that’ll be hard?”
“I don’t care if it’s torture,” I say. “I’ll do anything to make sure Loren gets the stable, secure future she deserves.”
“What if she finds out? Aren’t you a little afraid she might feel … manipulated? Like you married her to take advantage? Or used your money to get what you want?”
My nostrils flare. “She can’t find out. That’s the answer.”
“All right, brother.” Dex blows out a breath. “I hear you. Loud and clear. But I’ve still gotta be me, you know. If I don’t joke around with you two a little, Loren will know something’s up. That woman’s smart.”
“She is. So just be normal, all right?” I smirk. “Or as normal as youcanbe. Because this is important. I’m telling you, she can’t go on like she has been.”
He winces. “How badisher dad?”
“Harlan’s amazing,” I say. “She adores him and the feeling’s clearly mutual. But?—”
“Hey, there they are!” Dex cuts me off, grinning widely as Loren and Sayla approach our table. “Our better halves, back from the bathroom. Welcome. Welcome.”
“What were you two gossiping about?” Sayla asks, sliding back into her seat.
“Probably the same stuff you ladies talked about while you pretended you both had to pee at the same time.”
“Probably not,” Sayla says, “I was trying to talk Loren into wearingmywedding dress instead of the one she bought for he who shall not be named. I told her she could still try to sell the thing on eBay, but she turned me down.”
“That’s good,” Dex says.
Sayla scoffs. “Why?”
“Because Loren’s old dress is already in my notes. Two-sided.” He waves the napkin at her, very proud of himself. “Also, I love you, baby, and you havesucha big heart, but Loren’s … ummm …heart areais just a little bigger. I’m not sure she could zip the top of your dress all the way up.”
“Who cares? Cleavage is in,” Sayla quips.
Loren rolls her eyes. “Let me know when you kids are done analyzing my curves.”
“For the record”—I nod to indicate Sayla and Dex—“those two kids were discussing your curves. I’m marrying you for your brains.”