Amanda exhaled slowly. "What if he realizes he doesn't love me after all? I mean, obviously I'm a basket case. Maybe he bolts."

"Maybe he sticks."

"How can I be sure?"

Jenna lifted a shoulder. "You can't. So the question is, are you willing to take the chance?"

Amanda nodded, thinking about Jenna's words. Maybe Jenna was right and you really couldn't know. But who could ever really know anything? So she had to focus on what she did know. That Derek had been there for her since that very first day. That he loved her. He respected her. She wasn't just window dressing the way she'd sometimes felt with Leo.

Derek saw her. He respected her and her boundaries. He supported her hopes and helped launch her dreams. He was present in the world with her.

She frowned. Maybe that was love. Seeing and sticking.

Amanda started to suggest that to Jenna, but Tiffany Russell, one of the waitresses, burst into the room. "Oh! Sorry! I didn't mean to interrupt, but I was looking for you," she said to Jenna. "Here are Taylor's keys. She said you wanted to borrow her car. I've been using it while mine's in the shop, but I don't need it today."

"Thank you. Reece has the Volvo and I just need to make a quick run to Costco."

"Need help?" Amanda asked.

"I've got it. But thanks. You okay?"

"Much better. You're amazing."

"Love you," Jenna said.

"Right back at you."

* * *

Parker took a sip of Scotch. "I think it boils down to the fact that women are weird."

"Cheers to that," Derek said, lifting his glass to toast with Parker and Landon. On the other side of the bar, the bartender, Eric, looked across the room at a pretty waitress who was clearing glasses. "I'm guessing you agree?" Derek asked, but Eric just muttered something about side work and hurried down the bar.

"So what do I do, gentlemen?" Derek asked.

"Do you love her?" Landon tossed back the dregs of his bourbon.

"Yeah. Not even a doubt."

"Then you stick," Parker said. "What else can you do?"

"Run for your life," Landon quipped.

"My friend in law enforcement has a calloused heart," Derek explained to Parker. "And unfortunately, I think I have to stick. She's holding my heart. Run, and I'd rip the damn thing right out. Pretty sure I need one, too."

"I'm cutting you off, Pretty Boy," Landon said. "You're getting way too poetic. Or pathetic." He frowned. "Or are those the same?"

"If you're sticking, tell her. Maybe that's all she needs to hear," Parker said. "If she knows she can't get rid of you, maybe she figures she'll just put up with you."

"Nice," Derek retorted.

"Where is she, anyway?"

Derek lifted a shoulder, then let it fall. "No idea." He blew out a loud breath. "All I want is for her to get her shit together and realize that the two of us together is a good thing. Is that too much to ask?"

"Not in my book." Landon managed to slur all the words. "But women are weird. That's mostly why I'm done with them."

"I should call her, right?" Derek looked at Parker, because Landon was less than useful. "Or should I not call her and give her space?"

Tags: J. Kenner Man of the Month Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net