Page 65 of Forever Fickle

“Oh Tink…” he breathed, wrapping his arms around her tightly, cradling her against his chest. “Don’t be frightened… just be with me. We have forever to work this all out.”

“You can’t lob emotional grenades like that,” she whispered fearfully, burying her face against his neck. “Do you evenknowwhat ‘baby steps’ are, Jace?”

“Nawww,” he chuckled tearfully. “I told you I was a big dork and new at relationships, remember?”

“Wow… epic newness…” she uttered, choking up as she heard him laughing softly, holding her close, as he kissed the top of her head tenderly, smoothing her hair.

“Forgive me? Think you can put up with me for a little while longer?” he asked softly. “I can stay here if you need space, but I would rather hold you for as long as I can.”

“I’m new at relationships too,” Karen began, tightening her arms around him, “… but I also know that I’m not going to let you back out, nor am I running. I’m scared, but I will have plenty of time to deal with my fears over the next several months – alone.”

“Are you sure?”

“Stay with me,” she mumbled softly. “Hold me, take photos with me, and tomorrow will be here soon enough.”

“You got it, Tink…” he replied tenderly, his hand rubbing her back gently as he held her close against his chest.

* * *

They spentthe rest of the evening, holding each other on the couch, silent. Each was lost in their thoughts, afraid to say more, or ruin what was slowly blossoming between them. So much had been said already – and while it did change everything?

Jace still had to leave.

CHAPTER18

KAREN

Monday

She was glad Alpo had texted, because the bout of sobbing she had in the shower, hiding away from Jace, was almost debilitating. She never imagined having someone slip into her life, her world, in the blink of an eye and leave her completely gutted.

How was she going to just let him go?

There was a possibility in her mind –a very real possibility– that he would forget about her as soon as he was gone or meet someone else… and she would be left there to pick up the pieces.

That was the whole reason she was so scared, pushed so hard to put distance between them at first, and then reacted the way she did when he said those three little words that she truthfully longed to hear… someday.

Everything about Jace was magical.

It was like she’d finally found that perfect person for her. He smiled and the sun seemed brighter. He held her hand and she felt like she could conquer mountains… and when he held her in his arms?

She felt like she was finally home.

Home in a way she never understood or recognized – and now that she did? How was she going to be strong enough to let him go?

Turning off the water, she stepped out and got dressed before blow-drying her hair. Everything, every movement, seemed to go in slow motion. She could smell the aroma of coffee and knew he was waiting, but she needed time to shore up the walls he’d knocked down around her heart… just so she didn’t collapse.

Twenty minutes later, hair dried, teeth brushed, and staring at herself in the mirror, she took several deep breaths, before walking out of the bathroom… only to see him sitting at the table, writing on one of her yellow tablets she used for school.

Jace looked up guiltily.

“I hope you don’t mind?” he began, smiling softly. “I found a pile of school supplies in the closet and helped myself to a pen and paper.”

“I don’t mind,” she said evenly, trying not to let the curiosity get to her. “I smell coffee. Do you want me to warm up your cup?”

“That would be amazing…” he grinned. “Grab a cup and let me see if you can read my handwriting. I’m trying to make all this legible but…”

“What is that?” she asked nervously, giving in to the questions swirling in her mind.

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