Laughing, Will pushed Grace out of the way as he leaned down and kissed my cheek. “You were all he could talk about during our run, Lauren. That boy is head over heels in love with you.”
Wrapping my arms around me, I grinned from ear to ear. “It feels like a dream. Like, something I’ve been wanting for so long but was so afraid to take that step for fear it would slip away again.”
The smell of something sweet caught my attention as I turned to see Alex was making a fruit salad. Her eyes caught mine. “It’s not a dream, sweetie. With the way my brother looks at you I would say he has been wanting this for as long as you.”
Remembering the photo, my stomach dropped like I had just been on a roller coaster.
“I’m headed to the shower,” Will said as he took off and ran upstairs.
Turning to Alex and Grace, I cleared my throat. “I found something in Colt’s drawer when I was looking for a shirt of his.”
Alex glanced up and asked, “What was it?”
The colors of the fruit salad were beautiful. I wasn’t sure why everything seemed different to me today. Smells, sounds, colors. It was as if everything was clearer. “A picture of me from a few years ago. That day we all played football and I scored the touchdown.”
Grace’s head looked up from where she was cutting bananas. “He had a picture of you in his drawer?”
Alex’s shoulders slumped and the goofiest smile spread across her face. “Oh my. How adorable is that? Lauren, he kept a picture of you.” Looking at Grace, Alex smiled bigger. “I have goose bumps!”
Grace chuckled. “I have to admit, that got me right here.” Pointing to her heart, Grace winked at me.
“He’s . . . so romantic. What if I’m not doing something right?”
Alex’s head jerked back. “What do you mean? Lauren, honey, from the look on my brother’s face when he laid eyes on you just now, you are doing everything right.”
Chewing on my bottom lip, I leaned in closer. “Sex wise I mean. I’ve never been with anyone.”
Grace set the knife down and turned her whole body toward me. “Listen to me, Lauren. The fact that you saved yourself means more to Colt than anything. He’s not going to expect you to be an expert.”
Looking away, I wasn’t sure if I should share this or not, but I wanted to talk to someone and who better but two of my best friends. “Um . . . Colt never . . . I mean . . . we were each other’s firsts.”
Looking back at Grace and Alex, I watched as they both melted and let out an “Ohh . . .” as they clutched their chests. “Lauren, how incredibly romantic!” Alex gushed. “Oh my, Daddy taught that boy right.”
Grace smiled and shook her head. “Wow. I’m impressed. Colt is one of the major football players for A&M with girls throwing themselves at him all the time . . . and he saved himself for you, Lauren. That is so romantic, it almost makes me want to throw up.”
Giggling, I nodded my head. Grace walked over to me and placed her hands on my upper arms. “Seriously though, Lauren, how perfect that you both get to learn with each other. What an amazing experience yesterday must have been for you both. Don’t stress about this. Just be with the man you love and everything will take care of itself.”
Walking into Grace’s arms, she hugged me. Pulling back, I smiled at Grace. “Grace, you’re going to make some guy very lucky someday.”
Grace’s smile faded and sadness swept across her face but as soon as I saw it, it vanished and she turned to Alex. “You’re both very lucky to have the most amazing men in your lives. The gift that y’all have been able to give each other is so beautiful and rare.”
Alex’s eyes looked as if tears were building. Walking up to us, Alex wrapped her arms around Grace and me. Holding us tight she whispered, “I love you, Grace. You deserve this love and you’re going to find it.”
Hearing Grace sniffle threw me for a loop. Grace never cried. Stepping back, I looked at her. “Is everything okay, Grace?”
Laughing and waving her hand at me as if she was brushing off my concern she said, “Yes! Oh gosh, yes. I’m just all emotional for you, Lauren. It’s been a hell of show watching you and Colt deny your feelings.”
Alex gave me a little push. “Go get ready for your day. We’ll talk later tonight when we can Skype with Libby, Maegan and Taylor! They’re going to want to know all the details as well!”
Nodding my head, I turned and skipped toward the stairs. Taking them two at a time, I started thinking about what I was going to wear today.
