“Tara is one of the strongest people I know, but even strong people need help, even they need someone to rely on. I hoped you would be that for Tara. She’s wanted you for the longest time. I hoped you’d sweep her off her feet. I love Tara. She’s always been there for me when I needed her and never asked anything in return. Do you know why she was living in such a crappy apartment and working for Tim the Terrible?”
“I assumed she needed the money.”
“For what? She wears second-hand clothes, barely eats and doesn’t drive. She hasn’t told you about her brother, has she? You know, there is more to a relationship that just sex.”
“I know she has a brother, what about him?”
He recalled her mentioning him briefly.
“He’s in medical school. He has a scholarship, but it doesn’t pay for food and clothes. Tara supports him. Maybe if you talked to her once in a while you would know all of this.”
Tilly stood up, hands on her hips. Alex saw Dylan walk toward them. He stopped behind the short sub who obviously didn’t hear him approach. “You need to decide what you want, Alex. Do you want to be alone and sad all your life? If yes, don’t bring Tara down with you. If you do the brave thing and decide to take what she’s offering, then you better hope you haven’t already damaged the best thing that ever happened to you. Be a real man, Alex. Either let her go or love her.”
“Tilly!” Dylan said in an angry, shocked voice. “I think that’s quite enough.”
Tilly went still, her eyes widening. Slowly, she looked over her shoulder at Dylan. “I didn’t hear you, Sir.”
“I can tell that. I’ll make sure she’s punished for her disrespect,” he said to Alex.
Alex looked up at him tiredly. “Please don’t. Every word she said is true. I just needed someone to kick my ass and point it out to me.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I am. Thank you,” he said to Tilly as she went to turn away.
She nodded and then fled, Dylan glaring after her.
“She was rude.”
“She told me the truth and it’s what I needed to hear. She was just protecting her friend. Can’t blame her for that.”
Dylan grunted. “This was about Tara?”
“Yes.”
“You going to fix things?”
Alex raised his eyebrows.
“She looks sad. I don’t like it.”
“Neither do I,” Alex said. “I’ve been an ass.”
Dylan snorted.
“She’s the best thing that ever happened to me only I was too caught up in the past to realize it. Tilly is right. I need to tell Tara I love her before I lose her.” He felt at ease. This felt right. He loved her. He’d loved her since the night she’d gone drinking with Tilly and he’d sat in her apartment, worrying about her. He only hoped she felt the same way.
“Really?” Dylan said. “Didn’t think you’d ever admit it.”
“I do. I love her. I’ve let what Simone did to me color my actions for too long. I just hope she can forgive me.”
“If she loves you she’ll forgive you.”
Alex wasn’t so sure. “We have a contract that says we’re not to fall in love with each other.”
Dylan snorted. “So apologize and then tear the contract up.” His friend patted him on the shoulder and left.
Could it be that simple?