You Just Show It Different

Richard was caught momentarily off guard when Lissy, who was on his other side, leaned against him too. Had she somehow taken what he said as an invitation?

Biting back a sigh, he put an arm around her so she would be more comfortable and she snuggled closer. Now he had his entire family on him. How had he fallen this far? If anyone could see him now…

"I love you, Richard," Lissy said sleepily.

Richard was so startled that he barely managed not to jump and jostle everyone. She loved him?! She really WAS more attached than she should be. 

She had said things like how he was the best brother ever before but not this. Never this. 

The only ones she said 'I love you' to were Laney and Karina until now. He was absolutely in over his head. His acting had been too real and this kid who had already suffered so much in her young life was going to pay the price for it. 

Unless he could convince Laney to stay? But how would he even do that?