Laura S. Fox

Yes he was, and he knows it. He'll not leave things like this.

Oh, gawd, true...

Brad is not malicious, yes, thank you. I know - and this will seem 'small' compared to other moments that will come - that readers will feel tempted to hate him. And it's all understandable. And I won't say a thing to change anyone's mind, because that's the beauty of putting a story out in the world. People will interpret it through their own eyes and minds. But I still want to acknowledge when someone notices things that I know I intended in the writing of the story. Which is why I believe the scene hits harder through Brad's carelessness. If he had been just vicious and mean, Lyn wouldn't have suffered as he did. And it wasn't a good kiss. Reality gave Lyn a harsh check. There are kisses and kisses, right? We'll see The three elements will continue to gravitate around each other. While this is a romantic stories, and you know my reputation of loving HEA's, I still hope I will be able to surprise you with the denouement

He-he... I will closely observe how the readers' opinions change!

I'm so glad readers understood right away what happened there... Brad did reduce Lyn to a side show. Lyn's emotional upheaval happens at the drop of a dime since he's wound so tightly. As for his reaction to Alexander, yes, it was in the moment, and yes, he was in defensive mode, having lost control and all. He does feel guilty, and he knows he did wrong. While memory chapters don't usually connect to each other (like the natural succession in a story) - this time, there will be an exception. There will be a continuation to this... and I can only hope it will be revealing! I will disappoint you this time... There will be no memory chapters for the 8 years apart.

...and that's the issue with Lyn, isn't it? He always tries so hard, yet he fails. I'll call it a modern tragedy, with your allowance.

I guess not! Seeing the reactions...

Ah... but there's more to Lyn than that list...

He did realize it right away! But don't worry! He'll 'pay' for it!

Emotional age can be different for different people. In several ways, he's suffered from stunted development in matters of emotions. As for what Alexander sees in him, anyone who feels inclined to re-read the chapter of their first encounter and try an intellectual exercise of trying to 'see' it through Alexander's eyes might notice a few things. Also, I like to think that readers will notice what draws Alexander to Lyn throughout the story. Given the serialized format of the story and the selectiveness of the memory chapters, at chapter 20, you are looking at about a third of the whole - and this third is all over the place, without creating a solid part of the full picture yet.

I believe that Lyn - despite coming across as a 'nerd' to the people present - makes a good case with how he presents the situation from the literature on the topic he read, which is that it might take more for such things to become fully acceptable than just saying them to sound 'progressive'.

It goes to prove... be careful what you wish for. He did insult Alexander, and he did regret it. Makes you wonder what he'll do next...

Chapter Twenty-One – I Promise Lyn had no actual explanation as to how he had ended up in this situation. Brad had assured them that this part of the island was never visited by tourists, so it was okay for them to just swim in the nude. Like in their younger years, his best friend had no qualms about swinging his dick around like it was the most natural thing in the world. Their clothes had been left in a pile behind a rock, and Lyn hadn’t even been able to arrange his own neatly as he usu

Alexander would never let this happen... not on his watch!

He's the main character, if he doesn't go through transformations, then my writing will end up being fruitless.

Well noticed! That was Lyn's vulnerability showing... he doesn't want to let go of Alexander, now that they're close again.

Hopefully, Lyn will behave in such a way that the readers will have a better opinion of him!

Okay, Maestro, let's unpack this nice gift... Lyn chose the image he has of Alexander a long time ago. But the image is starting to shift... and that brings about the need of 'dismantling' a part of him as you say. He can do it fast or he can do it slow. It remains to be seen how it will happen (Because it will happen). The cigarette getting destroyed... well, here's a very mild spoiler - it's not Lyn's first display of care toward Alexander. I'm not talking about this vacation, but let's move on fast, he-he. You're right about that line from Alexander... He also needs closure. He's crazy about Lyn, that's true, but there's still a part of him that's analytical and reasonable, a part that realizes that he might have to move on. Okay, I'll shut up now, but don't get sad. You should always remember my unofficial middle name. The big question remains: why did Brand want his old friends at his wedding? It will be answered, I promise! But let's have more confusion and a lot of feels first... Put on your detective hats!

Lyn will suffer his own 'metamorphosis' throughout the story. As a character, he's bound to evolve and see things in a different light the more he opens his eyes. But of course, it will come with push and pull, and because this is a story, there will be some dramatic twists that will shake his foundation. But you're so right to note that 'delusion' is his go-to solution when things become uncomfortable, emotionally wise. Bella... ah, she's a bit of a wild card in my book of cards that I have carefully laid out before me. I want to bet that she'll surprise you by the end of it all. But I'll keep those cards close to my chest. Brad may be in way over his head... but when has he ever thought of consequences? Swimming? Oh, yes, and vulnerability. But Lyn knows how to swim now!

His purpose in life!

As for my other stories, for these characters I picked aspects from people I know. And as unbelievable as that may be, there are people in this world who are this level of clueless. It is usually rooted in deep anxiety or a certain personality and brain configuration - I don't know how to explain it otherwise. And yes, I've noticed it much more often in men than in women.

I am of this mind, actually, and I believe you 'read' Brad correctly so far. Despite how things will evolve and how readers' opinions might vary wildly, my purpose with this story is definitely not to have a villain, but deeply flawed people doing deeply flawed things

Bella knows Brad... and you're very much correct!

Yeah... and he's not exactly that bad.

I didn't invest Brad with so much cunning abilities... but that would have been something! Bella is a free agent, I promise!