Page 42 of Forever Fickle

“I just want to be alone with you, Karen.”

“We wouldn’t be alone in a theater.”

“I don’t care where we go,” he interrupted, cutting her off. “We can go flying, sit in a theater together, grab drive thru, or I can cook… I just want to be near you, talk to you, and make you smile for a little while – while I can,” he said gently, not looking away from her.

“…And when I leave? I want to continue working on building this friendship, relationship, or whatever you want to label this between us… because I’m really glad to have met you.”

Karen swallowed… and nodded.

“Do you… will you communicate via email or phone?” she asked quietly, unsure what to say and feeling like they were turning a pivotal point that she never expected to actually find.

“Both,” he replied. “Email is easiest, but sometimes there are calling cards on the base exchange if you make it there before the army guys buy them all up. They are fiends when it comes to buying up the calling cards.”

“Maybe you should take some with you when you leave?” she recommended nervously, realizing she was agreeing to continuing whatever this was between them. “Do you have a cell phone?”

“I do, but never use it much because reception is terrible on base. I mostly play games on there, if I can keep the battery charged. Could we go by the store tonight on the way to wherever you want to go? I’ll get several calling cards…” he said, watching her.

“Agreed,” she said softly, feeling incredibly shy.

“Good,” he breathed tenderly, smiling at her. “I’ll charge my phone and we’ll exchange information later. I don’t even have my phone number memorized… isn’t that terrible?”

“No, I understand,” she smiled, “We should probably eat while it’s hot.”

“And while we have time since we aren’t sure we want anyone to know about us,” Jace replied easily, nodding. His words surprised her, and she hesitated, picking up her fork.

Did he think she was embarrassed to be talking to him?

“I’m not embarrassed you know,” she blurted out openly, feeling a little dismayed and upset that he suspected they were hiding this budding relationship.

“I just don’t want to be late for work or give them a reason to cause problems for us. I mean, the other guys are super-protective…”

“Oh, I know,” Jace retorted, rolling his eyes. “And I’m getting the impression that they think I’m the worst guy in the world for you.”

“Are you?” she asked bluntly.

“Maybe?” he replied just as candidly. “I don’t know. I’m scared because I’ve never held a relationship before, and I don’t know what I’m doing. Everyone’s opinions and my imagined past is haunting me. I never figured it would become a problem, until now. It’s become a big problem.”

“Not really…” she answered softly, looking at him. “Just be yourself with me and everyone’s opinions don’t matter, unless it becomes truth or a problem between us.”

“I’m not going to give you a reason to doubt me,” Jace breathed, staring at her. “I want to see where this goes with us.”

“I do too… and I understand being scared, because I’ve never held a relationship or really dated a guy either.”

“Then this will be a learning experience for both of us – and I’m kinda glad,” he said softly and then smiled. “I love holding your hands.”

Karen chuckled nervously and smiled shyly at him.

“I kinda like holding your hands too – but we do need to eat.”

“I’m not gonna lie,” Jace grinned, “my stomach has been rumbling since the moment she set the plates down. My goodness this looks divine…”

“Real buttermilk…” she whispered teasingly.

“Ohhhh I’m in heaven,” he groaned, closing his eyes happily.

They both started digging into their meal, talking between bites, drinking coffee, and Karen realized just how much she really enjoyed his company.

He had this light in his eyes that just fascinated her and she could watch him talk for hours on end. He had this spirit that was so animated, so vibrant, that it had her enthralled and listening avidly to him.

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