Page 65 of Caught Up In You (Indigo Royal Resort)
“Back to Carlos for a sec,” Drea said. “What happened?”
“I dunno,” Leona shrugged. “He was all pissy thinking that Cullen was two-timing me because he’d heard Cullen on the phone saying ‘I love you’ to his mom, so he came to like, defend my honor or something. But then Cullen explained and then they had a moment alone where they grunted at each other or something, and then that was that. Carlos came over, told me he’d always be there for me and that he wanted me to be happy.”
“And you have no idea what they talked about?”
“Nope. Cullen said it wasn’t his place to tell me—that if Carlos ever wants me to know that he’ll tell me, and I can respect that. I was just happy there was no more boxing involved.”
“So, then, you and Cullen… is it more than just sex now?” Drea asked.
Leona started to answer and then stopped herself. She couldn’t lie to Drea. She might not fully understand exactly what she was feeling, but she was feeling something. If anyone understood just how complicated feelings could be, it was Drea.
“I’m not sure.”
“Not sure? Meaning, you feel something? You…like him?”
“Didn’t we already talk about this the other day?”
“You said you liked him as a person,” Drea said. “So, do we like him more than just as a person? Do we like, like him?
“Sure, I like, like him, we’ll go with that.”
“Or you more than like him?”
Leona swallowed and looked away from her friend. She definitely “more than liked” Cullen Cruz. She just wasn’t sure she was willing to admit it out loud. Or if she was ready to use that other L word either.
“I maybe more than like him,” she finally said. “Doesn’t matter, though, he’s taking a coaching job in Atlanta.”
“Excuse me, you have feelings for someone and it doesn’t matter? And how do you know he’s taking the job?”
“Because we talked about it last night after he got the call from his agent. I told him to take the job.”
“Leona Manuela Filipe! How could you tell him to take the job if you more than like him?” Drea exploded.
Leona sighed. That was something she’d questioned ever since she’d said it last night. But it was the right thing to do. She knew it was, even if it killed her to do it. Explaining that to Drea wasn’t going to be easy, but she knew that she couldn’t stand in his way. He was someone important and he needed to return to his life and do big things.
“Remember when Kyle went on his little hiatus back to Florida, and you were heartbroken but were learning how to be okay with it because it was what was best for him and your place was here?” Drea nodded. “Well, it’s like that. His place is out there doing football things, and mine is here on this island, at this resort, helping take care of my family.”
“But Kyle came back! Because that wasn’t what was best for him,” Drea pointed out.
“Yes, but we are not you and Kyle. This is what is best. And as much as it sucks, it is what it is. And when you love someone, you don’t stand in their way.”
“When you love someone?” Drea repeated.
“Yeah,” Leona said, sighing. She closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath as the realization hit her. She loved him. “Love.”
“Squeeee!” Drea squealed, jumping up and down.
“Okay, okay, calm down! Privileged information, ladies—it stays here!”
“Cross my heart and hope to die!” Drea promised, making a little x over her heart. They both looked over to Maeve, who was concentrating very hard on a clear plastic baggie with yellow and green gummies inside.
“Maeve?” Leona asked.
“Sorry, wasn’t listening,” she answered, quickly looking up and then back at the baggie.
“That's fine, plausible deniability is a good thing!”
“Right,” she answered, still only half paying attention. “Ummm, Drea, what kind of gummies did you order for the little gift bags?”
