When I looked up, it was into his deep blue eyes. He was watching me stew.
“Hi,” I said. Those eyes took my breath away every time.
He turned, little gasps of air escaping, as the pain was obviously still there. When he was sitting back in his pillows, he sighed but smiled at me.
“Hello,” he said and patted the bed next to him.
Standing, I nervously grabbed at my hair and twiddled it. This was going to be hard.
“Thayde, I’ve been thinking,” I said, easing onto the bed. I didn’t finish. The look of love on his face was beautiful.
“I’m not going to leave you.”
That took me by surprise. I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Being apart,” he hesitated, “it’s not good for us.”
He seemed to struggle with the words.
“I’m trying not to sound like a possessive freak.” He laughed slightly, wincing. “I know you’re new to all of this. Once you cord, if you’re away from your love for too long, it’s unhealthy for you. You start to get sick. You should talk to your Mom about what happened with her and Tammer.”
“I know a little, but, let’s face it. We don’t really know each other. I mean, you know nothing about me other than what you’ve dreamed. How do we know we’re supposed to be together? We obviously like each other, but what if I have quirks that irritate you and you can’t stand to be around me?”
I was starting to rattle through my words. They kept spilling out of me, like water through a hose that’d been left on.
“I know you’ve got school you’ve got to finish and things you need to sort out with your family and I know I’d just get in the way, but I honestly don’t want to be away from you, “ I said. “ I don’t want to be selfish either, because I’m afraid you won’t like that side of me and will leave.”
He listened to me with a great deal of patience while I prattled on. When I was finished, he said three words.
“I love you,”
It took me by surprise. I wanted to say it back, but would it be real? I’d never wanted to say “I love you” simply to say it back. Wasn’t it too soon to be saying that?
“How do you know you love me?”
“I’ve always known,” he said. “But you’re right. It would be good for us to at least go on a date. I’d like to spend some time with you outside of your parent’s house and this bed.”
“Oh really?” That got my hopes up. Spending time with him away from home would be nice.
“And when do you think that’s going to happen? You’re in bad shape right now.”
“I’m pretty sure I’m good now, apart from the ribs. Your Mom helped heal so many broken bones in me that when it came time for my ribs, she didn’t have any more healing power left for them. It’s ok. They’ll heal eventually. She said she didn’t want me getting bed sick, so I’ve been walking a bit. She was right. I do feel better.”
He pushed back the covers and edged to the side of the bed. Swinging his legs carefully over the edge, he eased to his feet. I watched the muscles in his back and arms contract as he swayed slightly, keeping himself balanced. It was like looking at a Michelangelo sculpture. Would I ever get used to how beautiful Thayde’s body was?
“Well, what do you think?” He asked. “I’m standing. That’s a good sign.”
His pretend enthusiasm made me smile.
“Yeah, well now you’ve got to make it to the bathroom, right?” I dared him.
Gingerly, he walked toward the door.
“Oh, so you’re attempting to make yourself presentable, huh?” I teased.
“Well I’ve got to take you on a date,” he jabbed back over his shoulder. “It’d be nice if you made the effort too, you know.”
Closing the door quickly made him miss being clobbered with a feather pillow.
A date! A date! My heart soared. When I told Mom Thayde wanted to go out, she seemed a bit apprehensive.
“Does he feel up to it?” She asked, mid-chop through a pile of smelly seaweed. Another one of her new hobbies was apparently cooking. Or something like it.
“I think so. He said his ribs still hurt but they’ll heal.”
“Hmm,” she shook her head. “I think it’s still a bit too soon, but what do I know? Just take it easy.”
“I don’t think he’d do this if he didn’t feel up to it,” I pressed.
“All the same…” She trailed off.
I was getting impatient.
“Are you going to help me get ready or are you just going to pretend to cook?” I asked.