Page 67 of The Art of Loving Lacy
His heart beat rapidly against her chest. She never considered herself to be a woman who needed protecting, but as the words fell from his lips, she couldn’t think of another person she’d rather have watching out for her.
Chapter Twenty-Two
AFTER DANE DROPPED Lacy at her cottage to get ready for dinner, she showered, dressed, and read an email from her boss advising her of the status of her previous work and congratulating her on solidifying Brave as a client.You have no idea how solid Brave is.She called Danica to fill her in on how things were going.
“I’m seriously the worst sister ever, and I’m sorry,” Lacy said when Danica answered the phone.
“I don’t know. Kaylie has her moments,” Danica teased.
“I’m sorry I haven’t called. So much has happened, and I don’t know where to start, but I know I owe it to you, Dan. I thought about what you said about letting his past go, and it’s like the minute I did that, all the fear and anxiety fell away.” Lacy put the call on speaker and began applying eyeliner beneath her lashes.
“That’s the funny thing about anxiety. You never really know what it stems from,” Danica said. “So, tell me what happened.”
“I don’t know. I tried to seduce him, which, by the way, I think I suck at, but anyway, one thing led to another, and he told me that he hasn’t been with another woman for more than a year. More than ayear, Danica. It’s been longer for me, but how can a guy even do that?” Lacy finished putting on her makeup, picked up the phone again, and walked into the living room, where she sat down at her computer.
“The heart is a powerful thing,” Danica said.
“We went out on Treat’s boat and looked for sharks.”
“Lacy, what did I tell you? Holy cow, talk about pushing the limits,” Danica chided her.
“I know, but you also said to face my fears, and I was pretty much okay. Your advice really helped. We saw one shark that Dane said was small but looked huge to me. I didn’t panic. I didn’t like it, but I didn’t lose all of my faculties either, so I feel like that’s a big step.”
“That’s a huge step, Lace. All you need to do is be okay on the boat and, Lacy, you know that even if you can’t overcome this, you and Dane can still have a relationship. He’s the one in the water, not you,” Danica pointed out.
“True, but I don’t want him worrying about me when he needs to be concentrating on the sharks and doing his job. Given what I’ve seen so far, he’d worry about me every second he was underwater if I was on the boat. He doesn’t need that distraction, and as a couple, we don’t need that stress.”
“You’re not going to end it again, are you?” Danica asked.
“No. I don’t mean it like that. I think I’m figuring all this stuff out, and actually, I’m excited about doing marketing for Brave, too. Oh, and don’t forget that I touched a baby shark at the aquarium, remember? At first it freaked me out a little, but then I was okay and went back to touch it again.” Lacy sat down on the couch.
“I didn’t forget. I’m really proud of you. I’m sure you were scared to death. Just be careful, Lacy. You could still have a panic attack, so be sure that if you do go with him when he’s looking for sharks, you have a safety net for yourself. Someplace to escape. I don’t know where that would be, a cabin in the boat maybe?”
“I will, but I don’t plan on going on any shark finding missions with him. Thanks, Danica, for everything. I’m glad you talked to Dane, and I’m even kinda glad you didn’t tell me. You’re probably right. I would have felt added pressure or something.” For the millionth time, Lacy was thankful to have her sisters in her life.
“You know that if I thought he wasn’t worthy of you, or if I thought it would hurt you, I never would have talked with him, right?”
“I know. I trust you. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. We’re having dinner with Rob and his wife tonight. I really like him.” Lacy wondered what Sheila would be like.
“He’s the one you picked up at the police station?” Danica asked.
“Yeah. He’s back at AA and he seems to be really trying and sincere in his efforts.”
“That’s good. I hope he can stay on the right path. I’ve been thinking. Have you and Dane talked about what happens next?” Danica asked.
“Next?”Gulp. Next?
“After Chatham? You do have a life, you know, and so does he. Are you going back to Skype and phone calls?”
“Gosh, we haven’t talked about it. Oh, Danica, I don’t know. I can’t go months without seeing him, not now that we’ve become so close.” Lacy stood and paced. “Darn it. I have no idea what we’ll do. His schedule isn’t going to change.” She dropped back onto the couch. “Great, another nightmare.”
“This isn’t a nightmare, Lacy. You sound like Kaylie, drama girl. You’ll figure it out. It’s just a…setback,” Danica assured her.
Setback?A chill ran up Lacy’s spine. “How can we figure it out? Geez, Danica. I wish you hadn’t brought that up.”
“Sorry, Lacy, but you only have a few more days with him before real life steps in. I always want to know where I’m heading,” Danica said.
“I was kind of enjoying my little nympho stage. I’ve never been so spontaneous. I’ve never felt like my heart might explode if I didn’t touch someone before, and now…Oh, Danica. For the love of…” Lacy lowered her forehead to her hand.
