Page 36 of Courageous Yearnings

“You’re awful…”

“I’m the best and the only one you’ll ever need, Boop.”

“There’s not enough coffee in this world to handle the likes of you,” she sputtered, but her cheeks were still pink, and she wouldn’t meet his eyes. Oh yes, his pretty girl was shy, and he’d pushed a little too hard. “I need to go to work – can I borrow the truck, or are you driving me?”

“I’m ready when you are,” he began and saw her glance at him, nearly grinning. He was wearing a T-shirt, a pair of gray cotton pajama pants for her sake, and socks. That was it.

“You are barely dressed.”

“I’m dressed enough,” he chuckled. “Want to inspect me?”

“No.”

“Dang it…” he muttered - and to his surprise, she smiled at him.

“What is it with you? One date, one kiss, and you think that you can take over my world? It’s going to take more than that,” she said huskily, instantly making his heart stagger in his chest.

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah,” she smirked, picking up her coffee mug and taking a sip. “Let’s go, and I’m taking my new mug with me.”

“Ugh, you really like that thing – don’t you?”

“Makes me think of you,” she quipped playfully – and he was here for it.

“I think those frightening little mice are growing on me,” he whispered, leaning toward her to steal a kiss, only to have her step away and shake her finger at him.

“Nuh-uh,” she taunted. “I need to get to work. Keys, please.”

“Let’s go, Boop. I’ve got some work to do around the house.”

And thankfully she didn’t question him.

Hours later, Lance and Alec were shoveling in pizza as they took a short break. It had been a hectic morning, but progress was happening, and the house was starting to take shape. He really hoped that Blythe liked the surprise and prayed fervently that she wasn’t going to be upset.

“I can’t believe you,” Alec said openly, chewing his pizza where he stood in the kitchen of Blythe’s house. They’d been putting together furniture all morning and moving a few items from his apartment. “You know she’s gonna flip her lid.”

“Nahhh. She’s cool.”

“Bro… seriously?”

“You think she’ll be mad?”

“I think she’s gonna have something to say about it.”

“Can we talk about something else?”

“Are you nervous?”

“Getting there…” Lance muttered, picking up another slice of pizza and taking a massive bite. “I was going to try to smooth things over with a nice dinner.”

“It might work,” Alec began and shrugged, texting someone and then looked at his phone screen, then looked at him, and back again.

“What?”

“My friend said – and I quote – ‘Nobody cooks that good’ followed by a ‘she’s not going to like this’…” Alec began and hesitated.

“Who’s your friend?”

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