Tucker nodded. He agreed with that—wholeheartedly. But he didn’t know if he was even on her radar like that. Yeah, she’d admitted to having a crush on him, and they’d had a good time together, and she clearly hadn’t been happy about him pushing Bo at her, but…did she love him? He couldn’t just be her guy for now. Or one of many in her field. That would destroy him. He needed all or he wanted nothing. There weren’t any half measures for him.

“Look, dude.” Arlo folded his arms. “Do you want to be with her?”

Tucker nodded. “Yeah.”

“And you’d treat her right? You’d love and cherish and protect and all that jazz? You’d put her first and support her in all the things she still wants to do with her life?”

“Of course.”

“And have you told her that?”

“No.” God, no.

“Then tell her. And let her decide.”

Tucker’s pulse washed loudly through his ears. Could he put himself on the line like that? What if she rejected him? Tucker had been guarding his heart around her so long it had become his default position. Loving her secretly seemed far less fraught than saying it out loud and maybe losing. “I think it’s too late. I screwed up. She’s probably decided I’m not worth the hassle.”

Hell, she was probably sticking pins in a voodoo doll made in his image.

“Yeah, but…what if she decides you are?”

“Hey,” Drew said. “I saw her panties in that glass on the bar last week. I have a feeling she just might be into you, too.”

“Drew. Jesus.” Arlo’s face scrunched up. “I don’t want to know shit like that.”

Drew shrugged. “He washed it.”

Arlo grimaced again but turned his gaze on Tucker. “Well?” he prompted. “Are you in or not?”

A surge of adrenaline hit Tucker’s system. This was it—fight or flight. In or out. Yes or no. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been this petrified, when something had meant this much. But Arlo and Drew were right. He had to at least be honest with Della and let the cards fall where they may. If it was a no, then he’d bow out graciously and do his damnedest to make sure they got back to being friends. Even if it killed him.

“In.”

Drew whooped and pumped his fist as he grabbed Tucker around the shoulder for a quick guy hug. “Yes!”

Arlo stepped forward and shook Tucker’s hand, which was oddly formal, considering how long they’d known each other, but also oddly right. “Okay then. No time like the present.”

Drew agreed wholeheartedly. “Call her. Tell her you want to see her.”

Tucker checked his watch. It wasn’t even eight thirty. “She’s probably still on her date with Bo.”

“No time to waste, then.”