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“He already promised and if he doesn’t I’m supposed to ask Todd to take him out back and shoot him,” Tori announced.

“Then you definitely have to mind your manners, Guy. You know Todd will do that if Tori asks him to and you certainly don’t want Tori stuck with having to explain that to your family.”

“I wouldn’t do that to her. I gave my word to stay glued to her side the whole time and that is exactly what I’m going to do even though I’m positive Tori is perfectly capable of handling whatever they come up with.”

“That still makes one of us.”

“Two. Don’t forget what Todd told you this morning. He’s right that you can’t let them intimidate you. If you let one of my sisters get to you, the others will come to your defense. They’ll mean well but having them defend you is only slightly better than having them interrogate you.”

“Don’t let that scare you,” Barry advised. “Guy isn’t exaggerating but you can’t run away. You have to get to know them because once you do you’ll see that they’re basically harmless and would do anything for you.”

“I remember the first time Barry took me to one of Guy’s family gatherings,” Carla laughed. “They both warned me, just like they’re doing now but it didn’t prepare me for what it’s like when you’re surrounded by them. I was fortunate because I was with Barry and not really someone they were extremely interested but you, I’m sorry to say, are going to be the center of attention no matter how closely Guy and Todd stick to you.”

“Which is exactly why I shouldn’t go,” Tori argued. “They’re going to get the wrong impression and get all excited over nothing because this is most likely the only time I’ll ever see them. What’s the point of introducing me and having them get all curious when you’re only going to have to tell them there was nothing between us later on when you show up to the next family thing without me?”

“We’ve been over this, Tori. One, you have to go because I have to go and I need to see you to know you’re safe. Two, I love you and I want you to meet my family, no matter what the circumstances are. Three, they are going to love you too and, if you give them half a chance, will fall all over you to show it. Four, you can’t let yourself believe that there is no us now but I trust you and have faith in you so I know you will be able to someday. I don’t want to keep you hidden while I wait so you will end up at plenty of events with me. We may as well get the first one over with. After tomorrow, they’ll calm down. You might even surprise yourself and have fun once they do.”

“Do you always number your points like that? You seem to and I find it very distracting.”

Guy shook his head in frustration as the other three laughed. “You’ll get used to that,” Diana stated calmly. “Tori is a master when it comes to derailing your train of thought and sending a conversation in an entirely different direction.”

“Oh, ha, ha.” Tori scowled. “Yes, we all know I do that and yes, we all know it’s intentional but we also know why so I don’t think it’s very nice of you to tease me.”

“I’m only teasing you because I love you, Tori girl,” Diana assured her. “You’re surrounded by friends who understand so why avoid the obvious?”

“I think I liked it better when you all worried about what you said to me.”

“You did not,” Carla protested.

“Admit it,” Barry urged. “You’ve had a lot more fun since you let yourself relax around us these last two times we were together than you did when you stuck to the fringes.”

“Yeah, okay. You’re right. But we don’t have to talk about it constantly either.”

“Don’t pout,” Diana took over. “We have no intention of harassing you, Tori. As I said, we love you. We’ll let it drop as soon as you stop trying to hide from us like you were about to do. Until then you need us to remind you that it’s okay for you to be yourself around us.”

“We are you friends and you are ours,” Carla added. “Frankly, I’m amazed that you brought this up last Sunday and are willing to let us discuss it like this. You know Aunt Diana is proud of you but I am too. I always knew you were keeping your distance and I’m so glad you’ve decided to stop doing that.”

“That goes for me too,” Barry stated.

“God, would you listen to yourselves,” Tori said with mock horror. “You’re starting to sound more like a support group than a bunch of people I invited over for a casual evening. Give it a rest already, would you.”

“Stated like a true Beverly Hills therapy veteran,” Guy teased.

“Don’t start with me, Detective.” Tori glared. “I’ll have you know I may be the only person from Beverly Hills ever who hasn’t attended a single therapy session.”

“Really? How’d you manage to avoid that?”

“When I was little, my parents assumed I was just going through a phase and I’d grow out of it. By the time they realized I wouldn’t and tried to force me to get the help they thought I needed I was stubborn enough not to back down after I refused to go.”

“Good for you.” Guy grinned. “In case you’ve been wondering, I’m proud of you too.” He raised her hand and kissed her palm.

“God, you’re all impossible.” She rolled her eyes dramatically. “And I’m so lucky that you put up with me. I know you don’t want me to say it but I need to say thank you. I’ve never been easy to be around and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the patience you’ve all given me.”

“You’re worth it,” Guy answered for the group. “You’ll understand one of these days.”

The conversation drifted through many topics by the time Diana, Carla and Barry called it a night. Tori surprised them once again by hugging them as they said goodnight. During each hug, the recipient shared a look with Guy who was standing behind Tori, thoroughly pleased with the progress he was making and overjoyed that their friends were able to share it with them.

As soon as Tori stopped waving and closed the door, Guy pulled her to him and cuddled her under his chin. “You made Diana very happy tonight,” he stated.

“Yeah.” She relaxed into his embrace. “I don’t know why I was so scared all this time. I thought it would be much harder to talk about why I was afraid to let anyone get a little close to me than it turned out to be. I certainly never expected to sit around and talk about it so casually like we did tonight. I guess bringing it up with Carla last week helped more than I imagined it would.”

“Possibly. Or maybe you’re more ready to let yourself trust people than you think you are. Maybe you’re letting yourself accept their friendship because you’re tired of being alone and want to have people in your life that you know you can be yourself with. Maybe you’re doing this because you need to so you can take the next step and let yourself admit that you love me as much as I love you and are ready for the life I know we can share.”

“Or maybe I’ve decided I should have friends because I know I’m going to need them to get you to stop badgering me all the time if this drags on much longer. I understand you think you believe what you’re saying but I wish you would stop repeating yourself so often. I don’t want to argue and I really don’t want to hurt you but I know you’re fooling yourself. I know it’ll pass and I really am starting to enjoy you. If you keep pushing me I might get annoyed and say something ugly and uncalled for that’ll ruin our potential friendship. I thought we all had fun tonight and this may be selfish but I want to do this again. If you hound me until I snap it’ll be too awkward between us and we won’t be able to visit Barry and Carla at the same time and I don’t want them to have to worry about that.”

Guy sighed. “Fine. You win. I’ll cut back on expressing my feelings for now but I won’t stop altogether. I’m willing to limit the number of times I tell you how much I love you but there is no way I will let a day go by without saying it at least once. It wouldn’t be fair of you to insist so we’ll have to compromise. I refrain from sharing my feelings constantly and you cut down on how frequently you deny what I know is in my heart.”

“I guess that’s fair. But you do know I only point out that you’re mistaken after you tell me what we both know is not true.”

“Correction. I am the one stating the truth and you are the one who refuses to see it for what it is.” Guy tipped her chin. “I know neither one of us wants to argue tonight and I know we both believe what we’re saying. For now, let’s agree to disagree and let time show us what’s real.” He kissed her lightly. “We’re not going to change things even if we stay up all night repeating ourselves. You look tired and I know I am, so why don’t we turn in now?”

“Okay,” she agreed, raising her lips for another kiss. “I’m as frustrated as you are, Guy. We both need to let it go because you’re right, neither of us is going to change our mind and we’ll make each other crazy if we don’t stop fighting about it.”

“Mm.” Guy extended the kiss, deepening it into something less than innocent. “I bet we can both come up with better ways to drive each other crazy.”

“I thought you were tired.”

“I am. Doesn’t mean I can’t give us something to think about while we’re falling asleep.”

“Keep that up and I won’t be able to sleep.”

Guy rested his forehead against Tori’s. “I sure as hell wish Todd would hurry up and nab those two because I hate going to bed separately. I hate having to lie there alone, in the room next to yours. I hate having to wait until after you wake up afraid because of what you have to go through every night. I hate not being able to carry you to bed and hold you for the entire night.”

“Calm down, Guy. This isn’t going to last forever. Isn’t that what you keep telling me?”

“Yeah. Doesn’t make it any easier to let you go.”

“I know.” Tori gave herself a moment to cling to him and enjoy the feeling of being held since she knew there weren’t many nights left before Russ and Stan were captured and Guy would walk out of her life forever. “Come on.” She slid from his arms and took his hand to lead him upstairs. “I sure hope tonight’s dream makes more sense than the last few. Wake me up, okay?”

“You know I will,” Guy promised seriously as if dreading the fear he knew he’d see in Tori’s eyes later. “Try telling yourself that I’m right beside you if you start to feel trapped again. If you reach toward me at all, I’ll wake you right away instead of waiting until you seem like you’re panicked.”

“Sh.” Tori cupped his cheek. “You have to let me do this even though I know you don’t want to. Dreams can scare me but they can’t hurt me. You’re here and I’m safe and you know it even when it doesn’t feel like it to me. You are taking care of me, Guy.”

“Thank you.” Guy let her comfort him. “I do love you, Tori. I’ll be right beside you the whole time and I promise you will be safe.”

“I know. Now get to bed. The sooner I get this over with the sooner I get to take advantage of your body.”

Guy forced a chuckle. “Is that so?”

“Oh yeah. I hope you don’t mind but I think I may have to try to suck your huge cock again tonight. I’m sure I could handle more of it if I keep trying.”

“Christ, tiger, do you have any idea what you’re doing to me?”

“Yep.” She grinned and gave him a quick squeeze. “Gotta make sure you don’t fall asleep so deeply you don’t hear me.”

“That won’t be a problem. Nope, no problem at all since you have me so hard I’m afraid to roll over and I won’t be going to sleep any time soon.”

“Oops. Sorry,” she giggled. “Don’t stay up too long or you won’t have enough strength for me to take advantage of you.”

“Don’t you worry your pretty little head about that one. I’ll be more than ready for whatever ways you decide to use my body later.” He kissed her deeply. “We really need to stop calling it that because we both know there’s no advantage taking or using involved when we are together.”

“Yeah.” Tori claimed his mouth and rubbed her hip against his groin. “Mutual pleasure. ‘Night, Guy. I hope Harry stays with you so I don’t roll over and hurt him.”

“I’ll try to hold on to him but I doubt he’ll stay. He’s like me, much happier in your bed so I can’t blame him for deserting me. Night, Tori.” He chuckled at her scowl but returned to make sure she was comfortable as soon as he heard her crawl into bed. “Be back later.” He leaned over to brush his lips across her forehead.

“Hey, Guy.” Tori stopped him in the doorway. “I’m sorry you can’t stay with me now too.”

“Thanks.” Guy’s expression showed he thought she meant more than she did by that statement but she didn’t contradict him.

Chapter Twenty-One

“I’m sorry I can’t shut up about this but it’s making me nuts,” Tori grumbled.

“You sure you’re not dwelling on this to avoid thinking about meeting my family?” Guy teased.

“No. Yes. Maybe. I don’t know. I might be but it really is getting to me.” She frowned, propping her head against the window. “I admit I would rather be on my way just about anywhere other than to Todd’s but I’m not dreading it as much as I was before you guys agreed that we should get there early so I can meet your sisters individually instead of walking in with all of them staring at me.”

“Either way, you’ll be fine.”

“Yeah, yeah. Nothing I can do about it anyway. Why are these damn dreams so weird this time? They follow some woman around a grocery store and then stand around staring at some window with a tree inside. What are they doing, checking the progress of the decoration? I’m sure it must be her house but why don’t I ever see her? Where’s the girl? And what does it mean that after she’s downstairs they’ll wait until dark to go in? She, the girl or she, the mom? What happens downstairs and why is there only one person there? What are they planning for when they go in?” Tori growled in frustration. “I hate this!”

“I know. I don’t get it either but as Todd told you this morning, you have to wait and see and hope they start making more sense before they do anything.”

“Is he really as calm as he seems or is that just an act?”

“An act for the most part but not entirely. Todd has a way of maintaining a level head, even when he’s bent way out of shape over something. He’s very methodical when he’s working on a problem. He looks at every detail from every possible angle so there are few surprises once things come to a head. He’s as frustrated as we are so don’t be so hard on yourself.”