No matter how much my heart fluttered and my stomach tied in knots, it was the wrong time. In my life, I’d always rushed into decisions, but now, I was growing up. It was a little belated, but better late than never. I was tired of getting burned by my own actions as well as other’s. I’d make damned sure to know what I was doing, before proceeding with anything big or life altering. Like falling in love. However, what I said next was with the utmost confidence, brightly outlined for me in a sea of drab, endless desolation. “I want to make you happy,” I said finally. “Trust me. I’m very happy right now.” Loren’s deep brown eyes warmed. They hid so much more I hadn’t understood yet, but this only formed a new goal. I’d figure him out—what made this closed-up brooding man tick. “You know I have a huge crush on you,” I admitted, just so he wasn’t the only one confessing. As if he hadn’t known. His sinful lips just widened into a full smile. “It made it so much harder for me,”
