"I don't read books about it." Ted shook his head. "I'm not really a romance book kind of guy. Or movies. I mean, I'll watch them if it'll make somebody happy, but not on my own."
He stood up with another sigh and paced around the coffee table, trying to think of the way this would be best explained.
"Yes, it is actually how people feel about each other. Without it... well, without it you might as well have an arranged marriage." He scratched his head. "Your respect and admiration are important yes. As are honesty and a sense of humor. They're all building blocks. But if you don't feel anything toward a person, you shouldn't be with them, not in that way.
"I am absolutely head over heels for Jo. I can't help but smile when I think about her. I want to take her everywhere. I want to give her things that will make her smile, and do things that make her smile. There's this little jolt of electricity when she touches my hand."
Ted and Jo hadn't really gotten very far in their relationship, but they had held hands.
"On top of that, I respect her. She's a tough chick. I feel safe around her and protective of her. Which is an odd mix, and I can't really get into why that safety thing is thee. I trust her. I would never lie to her, and I feel like she would never lie to me. I admire her in a lot of ways. But I am very attracted to her, and I wouldn't have pursued her outside of a friendship if I weren't. It's unfair to her. It's almost mean, really. To be with somebody without being attracted to them."
Ted stopped and looked at Honour. "All you're talking about is friendship, Honour."