Page 35 of Courageous Yearnings

There’s a new strain of vampire spiders that fly – isn’t there?

There better be a good reason you are texting before 9 a.m.

You’re grumpy – which means you want food. How about breakfast, and then I need some help moving a few things.

Since when are you moving?

Since now – are you free or not?

I want Cracker Barrel hashbrown casserole, and you’re buying.

Fine.

Seriously? You aren’t nagging or bartering? Who is this? Who stole Lance’s phone?

It’s me, dummy, and I need help. Cracker Barrel hashbrowns is a small price to pay.

I want bacon, too.

Fine.

A DOUBLE SERVING OF BACON

Fine.

Colton? Justin? Chad? Is that you?

Shut up and get dressed, you dork. I’m hungry and meet me at the restaurant in an hour.

Be ready to work.

Be ready to pay

And don’t you forget your wallet again. I fell for that once!

I’m paying – and you can eat to your heart’s content for this one.

Lance shoved his phone into his shorts pocket as Blythe came around the corner wearing slacks and a blouse, looking at him in surprise.

“Did I wake you?”

“I thought I would drive you to work and get a few things done around the house. What time should I pick you up and have dinner ready?”

“Oh, um, goodness…” she stammered, looking surprised. Had no one ever made dinner for her before? Oh boy - he was going to knock her socks off then! “I’m usually there until late or at least until the last sale is completed.”

“No problem. I’ll wait in the parking lot whenever you tell me to get there.”

“You don’t have to,” she began and then hesitated. “Unless you don’t want me driving your truck?”

“You have the key to my apartment – and I’ll give you the spare to my truck. I don’t care if you drive my truck. Anything I have, you are welcome to… I just thought it would be nice to get a few things handled while you are at work,” he paused and then smiled at her. “Because that is what amazing boyfriends in serious or committed relationships do, you know.”

Her dark eyes got huge and she blinked at him several times silently – and honestly, that was his favorite expression. She looked so shocked, so stunned, like she had no clue how to respond or that he’d blindsided her completely, and it made him smile.

“I’m the best one you are ever going to have,” he whispered, touching her hand. “And the last one.”

“You are?” she croaked – and blinked again, but this time, her face and neck were turning a soft pink that drove him nuts. He released her hand and drew a finger along the edge of her throat, caressing that soft skin that was flushing so prettily, and drew his finger downward toward where her necklace sat on her breastbone, fascinated.

“I am,” he promised and let his finger trail down the hem of her collar toward the top button – only to feel her hand slap his away. He chuckled softly and met her eyes. “I adore the way your throat turns pink when you are embarrassed.”

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