Laura S. Fox

We all know there was enough room on that door, Rose!

Of course, and Lyn's POV is meant to hurt... we are in his head, after all.

Oh, he might just do that... (I mean the messing up...)

I think you've summed it up well, especially the part about Alexander having more sycophants or envious people around him than someone who truly sees him. Lyn goes head to head with him, not cutting him any slack. Lyn is neither admiring him, nor is he envious of him. That's a winner in Alexander's book.

Oh, I think there will be more mirroring moments! That's how I feel now, at least... Lyn never forgets kindness, especially from Alexander. That's why they slip in the familiarity they've always shared almost from the beginning of this vacation. So yes, it's recognition. Alexander is a true miser when it comes to the precious moments when Lyn is his alone... of course he'd ask that And the kiss parallel, yes! Lyn might lie to himself all he wants... the heart just doesn't work that way.

I know @LeeSA expresses the same thing you mentioned when we were only severed chapters in. Brad's mask is strong... or Lyn - since it's his point of view - has limited view of him, hence modeling the readers' perception of him. Yet... @Cane23 you do see the duality in him. The 'out' and glimpses of the 'in'. Well, it's my purpose to have your mind blown with the end of the story, so I'll shut up now. A bad habit he can't quit... in a way, I think that's true. That last line... oh

Alexander uses the word 'smart' as in intellectual smart. The meaning is there, and Lyn perceives it as such. So Alexander is challenging Lyn to take a moment to 'think' of what is going on. Emotional hang-ups prevent Lyn from doing that, of course.

He did see something. He just wasn't there... or ready.

Oh, yes, he had to run... I know I would have, lol - albeit at a younger age than Lyn's. Lyn is not only taking from Alexander's friendship; he also gives back. And that's what I wanted to show here. I know you will be struggling with Brad throughout the story... He's not the easiest character to write, trust me. Since I'm a true believer of the 'show, don't tell' advice, I will not tell the readers anything directly. At the end of the story, I'm sure readers will have a wide spread of opinions on Brad

Yes, it was intense. I know I have to dig deep into feelings I've only experienced more than three decades ago in my life, but I think that when it's real, and you're new to it (falling in love), you do need space or else your chest feels like it might just burst.

Thank you for this comment! I know it's easy to dismiss Lyn for being unfeeling toward Alexander, but the role of the memory chapters is to establish their history together. And Lyn wanted Alexander's friendship back so badly that he put in the work. Also, he did realize he hurt Alexander, so... I hope his apology was well-received

It's perfect as it is!

Who ever said Lyn is holding himself to the same standard as the rest, lol!

Oh, yes, he was His mind might have refused to form a rational thought about it, but the rest of him was in the right place.

I can see readers grabbing pitchforks at one point, lol.

Come on... he did figure it out a little! that's how he knew he should kiss Alexander to make up. But of course, that was how far he went...

Oh, it was sweet for sure

Chapter Twenty-Three – Secrets Between Us Alexander pulled him up and pressed him against the wall, kissing him hard. Lyn moved like it had all been choreographed by a skilled dancer for him to follow along. He hooked his arms around Alexander’s neck and pulled himself up, wrapping his legs around the strong body dominating his. The way his cock was twitching like mad only confirmed the impossible sexual attraction he felt toward his old friend from college. Damn, Alexander could kiss.

Their minds are already full, I'd say!

Oh, lol, I talked about the bracelet being an anchor earlier, without re-reading this comment... Yes, we used the same word!

I'm going to repeat myself, but I love this... Lyn does see Alexander, too! Yes, he doesn't believe there are feelings involved - not yet - but he knows how Alexander grew up. Since he was not a stranger to that world - more on that later - he isn't like Brad, in awe of Alexander's status and money. They go head to head as equal when they get involved in their usual banter. That's part of what Alexander appreciates about Lyn. The bracelet is an anchor. So happy you noticed it in this chapter!

Yep, yep, yep. I wanted to constraint the characters in terms of time because yes, in the present, only days have passed. And the wedding won't be on exactly the last day, but a little earlier, so the time is actually shorter.

Nah-ah - I feel tempted to say as a reply to the last question. By himself, and with others' help, Lyn will grow as a character. You'll find him at the end - still himself - but also someone better.

Oh, the dynamic is changing, whether Brad likes it or not... and readers can easily see it's the former, not the latter. Remembering that time when Lyn could have drowned represents a link with the past and more. Brad would like to be that 'protector' again - albeit he'd also been the cause of the incident back then - but time flies, and people change. I won't comment more here, because I know you will continue to 'dissect' Brad and put together aspects of him that are not in your face or on the nose. What you say about Lyn in regards to how he defends Luke - I believe it's how empathy is born. And despite his many shortcomings and flaws, Lyn can be deeply empathetic. True, only to those who appear to him 'in need of help', which doesn't apply to Alexander, the demon and the 'danger'. Please, remember this for later - stash it away... because it will link with something in a future chapter. Although my advice, I'm sure, is already redundant, since I already admire you for your memory and capacity to make connections even between chapters that are published weeks apart. Luke the brat, Luke who's Brad's 'twin' and mirror... he's a secondary character, but he's not redundant or superfluous. Even if his stage time is short, like all the other parts of the story, he's essential to the full picture. Broken gaydar, lol... But yeah, I guess that's true. He doesn't get out of his head even a smidge, hence missing on clues and hints. Too busy to be in defensive mode... if Lyn were a princess yearning for love in a medieval tale, he'd be at the top of the highest tower, locked in a castle surrounded by the larger and deepest moat... And oh, yes, Alexander's play... how can he not be convincing, doing all these things he does? He cuts through Lyn's bullshit, for sure. And he always does things for a reason. You'll forgive the strategist, I'm sure; his heart is in the right place.