Page 27 of Courageous Yearnings

“Yeah, let me show you – that and some pink water goblets,” he offered, smiling easily. “Now that I know you have a feminine streak in you that likes girly things, it’s going to be much easier to shop together.”

“Lance,” she began, hesitating and pulling the shopping cart to a stop so she could look at him. Her eyes met his, saw his easy going demeanor, but something in his gaze made her pause. “I really appreciate you helping me and keeping me calm during all of this. I can get really frazzled and…”

“Hey,” he whispered, reaching out to cup her cheek like he’d done this every day of his life, but to her, this was new, almost overwhelming, to feel him reaching for her like it was nothing.

This was everything.

She’d had a crush on him for so long, had yearned for moments like this in her dreams, and had even felt intimidated when she thought he would kiss her and didn’t. No, there was something so incredibly moving about the simplicity of that touch that made everything in her hesitate, stand up, and take notice.

“This is what friends and couples do when they start dating or build a relationship… and we’re on a date, remember?” he breathed. “It might not be a normal date like other people, but I think shopping can qualify. It allows me a chance to get to know you, and we can talk and isn’t that what dating is - just a couple of people getting to know each other?”

She swallowed and nodded, feeling his thumb brush against her cheek.

“Let’s go look at utensils, and then we’ll do something crazy, like picking out a knife block or – gasp – a trash can,” he teased softly, leaning forward to rub his nose against hers. There was a glimmer in his eyes, showing that he was teasing her, and it was wonderful.

“Oh my gosh…” she blurted out nervously, chuckling, feeling almost giddy and bubbly in a weird way. Where was this guy before and why was he being so sweet about all of this?

Blythe followed him to the other aisle, selecting different items to help get her started. There were so many things that she needed to purchase all over again, and it was a little overwhelming. She was looking at toasters, completely sick of shopping already and needing to put away these things to make a list of others that she might need, only to hear a loud exclamation.

“OOoooOOOh! Check it out! Gimme your keys…” Lance was blurting out in a rushed manner, looking almost panicked. “Hurry – I’ve never seen this before, and I wanna check it out.”

“What’s wrong?” she asked nervously, handing him her keys.

“This is sooo cool,” he said excitedly and then put his back toward her, rushing over to a vending machine in the distance. He was already swiping his card, shoving her key in the slot, before she made it to his side and hesitated. This was a key copying machine, and he was copying her house key?

“What are you doing?” she balked, shoving him on the arm and trying to get his attention.

“Duh, what’s it look like I’m doing?” he retorted, pointing at the display that was cutting a bright blue key behind a pane of glass. “I’m making a copy.”

“To quote you – duh! I see that, which is why I have a problem. Why do you need a copy, and you could ask, you know!”

“Would you have said ‘yes’?”

“Why do you need a copy?”

“So I can move stuff over and help get you settled.”

“Then I would have said ‘yes’ if you asked me for a key.”

“I’m asking you now,” he said, rolling his eyes and huffing. “Can I have a key since we are being so formal about things?”

Blythe glared at him and squinted.

“You know, I should tell you ‘no’ just for that tone you had… but yes, you may use a key for a little while to help me move over a few things.”

“See? Why does there need to be drama?”

“Drama? Drama? Why do you think I’m being dramatic?”

“Aren’t you? Just let this happen and go with it.”

“Let ‘what’ happen? Go with ‘what’ exactly?” she asked, rubbing her forehead in frustration as he removed the new key from the panel and inspected it against hers before handing it back over to her.

“Is your head bothering you?” he asked, looking concerned.

“You’re bothering me,” she snapped and saw his crestfallen expression – and sighed. “Lance, I just get tired easily, and this all feels overwhelming to handle, you know. I mean, it’s a lot. I don’t know how long it’s going to take to get my insurance check and…”

“I said, ‘don’t worry’,” he replied softly, picking up her hand and putting it against his chest. “Trust someone to help you when you need a break, okay?”

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