Do you love him?" I blurted out. Laadan swallowed and a long pause followed. In the gap, I heard someone moving around in the kitchen. I started to grin. "You like him." Looking away, her lips pursed. I nudged her with my elbow. "You like him a lot." She drew herself up. "Your father—" "Is the love of your life?" Alexandria," she snapped, but there was no real heat to her tone.