Page 43 of Courageous Demands

“I like this,” he admitted emotionally against her lips, kissing her once more. “Did you get lots of peppers for the chili?”

“I remembered you like spicy food.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m going to have to go, though,” she whispered regretfully. “I’ve got ice cream in the car for us too. I thought we could have a little something to cool our mouths after we sample the chili.”

Alec smiled and kissed the tip of her nose.

“Perfect.”

“And Alec?” she began, letting her hand fall as she stepped out of his embrace and looked at him. “It’s okay to let go and give up control to Him. Things happen the way they are supposed to, no matter how much we question or struggle. That’s why I’m not panicking over the election this fall. I’ll either win the county seat, or I won’t; but that doesn’t mean I can’t give it my all. Either way, there’s a plan for me – and I take comfort in that.”

He smiled at her and nodded.

“You’re right.”

“Be safe, okay?”

“Hey, Willow?” Alec began as she walked back to her car. She stopped and turned to look at him, waiting. “Do you wanna go with me to the chili fundraiser… like a real date – in public?”

The smile on her face was brilliant.

“I would love that.”

“Sounds good,” he grinned happily. “Let’s not make the chili too spicy. Remember if it burns going in…”

“It burns coming out,” they finished in unison, laughing together, as Willow shook her head, pointing at him.

“You are something…”

“An undefined Wonder of the World?”

“Sure, we’ll go with that.”

“Text me when you get home… okay?”

“Will do,” she promised, sliding into the seat of her car and starting the vehicle. He stood there until she pulled out of the parking lot of the fire station – and then noticed Lance off in the distance, kissing and hugging his new girlfriend.

“Maybe there’s something in the water…?” Alec muttered, chuckling and turning back toward the fire station – only to see three other smiling faces watching him. “Wipe those smiles off your faces.”

“You and the judge?”

“Really?”

“To quote Austin from the other engine,” Justin sang, standing up with the other guys as they all began to mimic a dirty song while wiggling their hips and butts. “Bow chicka wow-wow…”

“Or brown chicken, brown cow…” and all three men laughed, before bumping their knuckles together and looking at him.

“Leave it alone,” Alec frowned, walking off.

They looked so happy that he was dating someone – and it wasn’t like he hadn’t dated before, but this time was different. If he could feel it and they could see it, then hopefully, he wouldn’t end up picking up the pieces.

He sighed heavily, walking up the stairs to take a nap while he could.

Someday, I’m gonna have to trust her…

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