I felt my heart warm and smiled. "I also met up with Alice this morning and Mari is coming over soon. You're still good with all this, right?

Me having dates with Sam and Zofi tomorrow and everything?"

"Yes, of course," Naimh replied with a sigh.

“If there's a silver

Lining to all this, at least the other girls will be happier.”

“You're a good friend."

“Thank you for that. I also know they'll give me details later." Her voice trailed off again, and a moment later she came back to the phone.

“Anyways, much as I'd love to stay and chat, this is awkward enough already. I'LL see you on Monday, alright?"

“Sounds good. I love you!"

"I know," she replied neutrally. "Thank you."

She hung up first. I handed the cordless receiver back to Belle, and sighed.

“Feel better?" she asked.

“Yes and no. Reassured that she's okay with all this, like Mari's date, for sure. But sad that I can't be with her right now."

"You really Love her, don't you?" Belle's voice was abnormally soft.

I frowned.

“Is that not okay anymore?" I reached out to hold her and pulled her into a hug.

“No, no, of course it is.“ She set her forehead against the middle of my chest and exhaled slowly.

“I was the one pushing you to ask her out."

“Regretting that decision?"

Belle shook her head and looked up at me, her pale green eyes warm and liquid. "No. Just... maybe regretting I was too scared to take the risk she's taking now. I mean, in my head I still think I made the right call. I get all the fun of being with you without worrying about all the emotional baggage of being your girlfriend. I can still look forward to spending the next two nights with you while Neevie's grounded. But... I do wonder..."

“Wonder if I'd feel the same way about you if we'd decided to take the plunge?"

“Something Like that."

I bent down and gave her a sweet kiss. She kissed me back rather hungrily, to the point that I scooped her up in my arms and Lifted her

Light body up until she wrapped her legs around my waist. And we stayed there, unhurriedly making out for several minutes, until our mutual passion eased and we finally pulled apart.

Our foreheads pressed together while we both panted for breath. Holding her close, I murmured, "I'll love you forever, my Annabelle. No matter what happens between me and Neevie, please don't ever doubt that."