“Where do I fall in these stages?” She stiffened again, her words coming haltingly. “Um, well, I definitely would say that... I like you a whole lot.” Satisfaction snapped in me like a cord pulled taut. Pride surged, and I held my weapon a little higher with my free hand. “This is good,” I grunted. “For you I am only one step away from in love, then. I am very close.”
