Page 43 of Courageous Yearnings

“Yeah, we really are still getting to know each other… right? I mean, this is fast, and we have so much to discover.”

“So let’s skip the announcements,” she said easily, waving it off and feeling a measure of relief. “I can include some photos in Christmas cards later this year or send out something creative later on.”

“Oh… great.”

There was something to his voice that made her look up in surprise. He was awfully pale with this pinched look on his face. She immediately touched his forehead, feeling for a fever.

“Are you all right?”

“Yup. Just a nervous tummy, I guess.”

“Do you want to skip dinner and take something to help calm your stomach?”

“Skip dinner and go to bed?” he began, perking up. “Yeah, that sounds great and…”

“If you aren’t feeling good then…” Blythe walked over to the bed and plucked off two pillows before tugging off the blanket. She pulled the sheets back and patted the bed linens. “Let’s get you tucked in so you can rest. I don’t mind taking the couch and I don’t want you feeling sick, especially not when you have to go back to work soon.”

“Yeah. Work. Um, that’s sweet of you. But don’t you want to join me?”

She looked at him in surprise and smiled, shaking her finger at him. He gave her a weak grimace that was slightly curled upward in a false smile as he slowly shrugged. Yeah, Lance did not look like his normal self. Poor thing must be really feeling bad, she mused.

“You get some rest, and we don’t even need to think about things like that until after we are married. Besides, we have the rest of our lives to be around each other, sleep together, or make love. Neither of us is in some huge rush, right? You, however, aren’t feeling good and need to let your body relax. I’ll get you some warm ginger tea to help settle your tummy.”

“Oh goody…” he whispered weakly, sitting down on the side of the bed. “Are you sure? I mean, there’s plenty of room.”

“I’m positive. Get some rest, Lance, and try to feel better,” she smiled, touching his forehead again and gesturing that he should lie down. “Close your eyes and try to rest. It’s been a very big day for both of us.”

“Yep, but the day isn’t over…”

“It is for you, hero. Get some rest.”

She closed the door softly and heard his heavy sigh – and smiled. Life was certainly turning around, and she was more than thrilled to realize that Lance was going to be a part of her life now, even more than he had become. It wasn’t just friendship but a deep yearning that was finally coming to fruition. Who knew that having a crush, putting yourself out there, and taking a chance to meet someone could turn out so beautiful?

12

LANCE

Mayday! Mayday!

Abort!

Help…?

Lance was texting Alec, Colton, Justin, and Chad in a group text as quickly as possible while Blythe was out of the bedroom. He could hear her humming in the distance.

Dude, I TOLD YOU…

OMG what am I going to do?

What did she say? Can you talk?

No – I’ve literally been tucked in bed by the hottest chick around who thinks I’m sick to my stomach (which I am), but she is making me some hot tea.

You’re in bed – uh – you are halfway there, bro!

That’s what I thought, but she said NO… blabbing that ‘we have our whole lives’ and now she’s talking about going to the justice of the peace.

You are getting married, bro.

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