Page 20 of Courageous Yearnings

“What’s today?” Blythe rasped.

“Wednesday. Hey Siri, text Big Daddy and tell him Little Mama is on the way with ice cream,” Maya blurted out, making her realize that this was something the woman did all the time. It felt so weird to be simply heading to bring something to the fire station like it was nothing. Frankly, the thought of seeing Lance unexpectedly and knowing she was going to his house made her tummy clench in a feeling she didn’t want to analyze.

When they pulled into the fire station parking lot twenty minutes later, holding eight cups dripping chocolate ice cream despite the lids, there was a very casual ease in the air as a guy came running out the door casually, jogging slightly to Maya’s side of the car.

“Hey, little mama,” he said tenderly, opening the car door and leaning in, looking at her. “You must be Blythe. C’mon inside. Lance is finishing some online training really quickly.”

Handing Maya four of the dripping containers on a tray, she picked up the other one and followed the couple inside only to be bombarded. Two men practically rushed her as another came out of an office, reaching over them and plucking a Blizzard from the molded paper tray they were sitting in.

“I’m pulling rank, then there’s ice cream,” the man said, turning and hesitating. “Oh hey, Eileen. I was just bringing you half of my Blizzard, hon…”

“Sure you were, Reese.”

Everyone around them laughed easily as they walked off to get spoons, already diving into their treats. It reminded her of someone ordering pizza at a slumber party growing up. There was always a mad rush to get a slice and then nothing. Feeling a hand on her shoulder, she saw Maya’s husband standing there with a Blizzard.

“C’mon and let me show you the room Lance is in. The test is timed, and he should be finishing up soon…”

“I’m here!” Lance said, appearing in the hallway, and his eyes immediately met hers. “How are you feeling, hon?”

Hon? she thought, fighting back the rush of happiness.

“Did you pass, Cortes?” Reese asked bluntly from the kitchen, dumping half the ice cream into a bowl and handing it to the woman beside him.

“Of course I did,” Lance bragged, plucking off his plastic lid and chucking it into the trash can as every set of eyes landed on him. “On the third try,” he added under his breath… and everyone burst out laughing again. Blythe smiled, trying not to laugh because it hurt.

Lance smiled at her tenderly, handing her his container that had a spoon sticking out of it and took the other one, including the tray. Handing her a few napkins, he didn’t say anything but put his hand on her lower back, silently encouraging her to take a seat at the large table with everyone else. They were all chatting easily amongst themselves.

“Mark my words, you’ll be getting rid of Pretty Girl soon enough, Colton…”

“I’m not getting rid of my truck,” another guy said grimly, frowning.

“Sure, you will. You can’t put a car seat in that old jalopy – it’s not safe.”

“Zane is in a booster seat – and I wasn’t really planning on it. We can use the car Eris drives for now.”

“Until you get a minivan.”

“Nuh-uh…”

“Hey now,” Maya said, hopping into the conversation. “There’s nothing wrong with a minivan.”

“Except it’s a Mom-Mobile… tell her Chad.”

“I’m not saying squat,” Chad retorted and winked at Maya. “You can have whatever you want, sweetie.”

“Ohhh vomit. Y’all are disgusting.”

“That’s only because Mrs. Justin isn’t here, or you’d be doing the whole ‘I wuvs you pookie-patootie’…”

“My son is less than a year old. Of course, I use baby talk.”

“Dude, don’t you even man-up on me, bro. You say that to your WIFE.”

Everyone roared in laughter, including Blythe only to have several sets of eyes turn to her.

“Cigarette?”

“That’s what I said!”

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