Page 84 of Risk

I don’t want to admit my answer. It’s too insane.

“Holy fuckballs, Leah.”

“What?” Defensiveness forces me to stand up. “I wouldn’t say anything.”

“Liar.”

“I…”

“Leah, this is what your sister meant. I’m telling you right now, Aly saw in your face what I’m hearing in your voice. You’re in love, girl.”

“No. It’s just good dick and fun.”

“That can be part of love too, you asshat. Carson’s good dick and fun. Look how fast we fell for each other.”

“Yeah but.”

“No yeah buts. Aly’s proud of you for finally letting your damn guard down. For giving a man a chance to treat you right.”

“All my guys have treated me right.”

“No. They treated you like temporary entertainment. And you’re no better. Look,” she says, clearing her throat. “Mason isn’t going to be like your dad was with your mom, honey. Don’t put your past on him like that. It’s not fair.”

She’s right. “Oh my god, I’m in love with him.” My ass hits the leather cushion. “I… this is…” I don’t know how to feel about it. “I’m in love with Mason.” Saying it out loud makes me giddy. “I’m in love with Mason Finch.”

“Yup.”

My heart skips around like a child holding a balloon. “I am head over stiletto heels in love with Mason motherfucking Finch.”

“Say it louder for the people in the back.”

“I have a boyfriend.”

“Sure do.”

“And I love him.”

“We’ve established that already.”

My cheeks hurt from how big my smile is. “This is crazy, Mak.”

“Love is crazy. Trust me. It makes you do wild shit you never thought you could do.”

“Like get collared and chased in the woods?” I tease.

“Or get on a plane when you’re terrified of flying just to spend a couple days with each other because twelve hours apart was too long.”

Holy shit. We did that. “I’m crazily, wildly, passionately, completely, happily in love with Mason Finch.”

The way we fit, our personalities, our energy—we’re the perfect storm together. Squealing, I rock back on the couch, kicking my feet. “I gotta go, Mak.”

“Love you.”

“Love you, too!”

My hands shake as I pull up my contacts list to find his number. I just want to hear his voice. I want to say something. Tell him… fuck, I don’t know. That I’m over the moon for him. That I miss him. That I want to come see him.

“I heard you were in love with someone, Princess.”