Bring on the Wonder Ch. 01

"Except when you just had to leave."

"Lance." Lizzie shook her head and spread her hands wide on her desk. "I told you when I came to stay with you that it was only temporary. I promised you it was temporary. That's the only way you agreed to let me stay, remember?"

"I remember. I also remember telling you after a week that you could stay as long as you needed to."

"Only because you couldn't get enough of my body."

Lizzie wanted to suck the words back in the moment she spoke them. They were harsh and no matter how Lance was acting like the wounded boyfriend now, he didn't deserve this from her. He looked mildly surprised by her words and tone but not shocked.

Lizzie narrowed her eyes and sat back, crossing her arms over her chest. "Why are you here, Lance?"

He considered her for a long moment, his pale blue eyes scanning every part of her face. "When you came to stay with me, you told me you needed a place to stay because you'd had a falling out with your brother."

Lizzie tried to remain impassive but she could almost feel where this was going. "Yeah. I said that."

"That he'd said things that you couldn't forgive. You'd never be able to see him again."

Lizzie shifted in her seat. "Yeah. So?"

"Then you just up and took off from my place. You moved back in with Nate."

"I know all this. Why are you repeating it for me?"

Lance shrugged. "I'm just trying to understand."

"Understand what?"

"Understand how I got passed over for your brother."

Lizzie sucked in air like she'd been punched in the stomach. "W-what?"

Lance leaned forward again. "You heard me."

"How did you–"

"Does it matter?"

She stared at him. Swallowed around the lump in her throat. Stared a bit longer. He didn't look like he was disgusted. In fact, he looked resigned, even somewhat amused.

"What do you want?" She could hardly speak for the tension in her throat.

He drew back, shocked by her words. "I don't want anything."

Lizzie let out a dry laugh. "Are you kidding? You come in here after seven months and expect me to believe you were just curious? Come on, Lance. Tell me why you're here."

"I was worried. Honestly. And even more worried when I came by your house one day and saw you two."

Lizzie felt her throat constrict. "Saw us what?"

Lance's smile came back. "Nothing crazy, Elizabeth. But I knew there had to be a mighty good reason for why you'd have moved back in there."

She shook her head. This was all a little too much for her. "I'm sorry. I still don't understand why you're here."

Lance stood up and paced around in front of her desk. He stopped and leaned against the side of it, looming over her. "I'm worried. Nate's a good guy, and I know you're an amazing lady. I just worry that you both have got yourselves tangled up in something you can't find a way out of."

She wanted to laugh. This was all so ridiculous. She and Nate were tangled up and they couldn't find a way out, but it wasn't that they wanted to 'untangle', at least not the way Lance viewed it.

"I don't want to see you end up hurt." Lance gave her a weak smile. "Nate just doesn't seem to be your type."

"My type? What is?" She let out a laugh. "Lance, do you know I've dated football players, artists and actors? I've been out with plumbers, lawyers and unemployed frat boys. I've dated taller than me, shorter, hairier and bald. Funny guys, serious guys, whatever. I've never had a type."

"But how can your brother be your type?"

Lizzie stared at him, trying to figure him out. "Is it just curiosity?"

He flushed and looked away. "Maybe a bit. I really do worry that you'll end up hurt though. I don't see how you two can make it work long term."

She snorted. "You aren't the only one."

They fell silent at that, regarding each other without speaking.

"You're in love, aren't you?"

Lizzie blushed, a warmth she felt through and through. She wasn't embarrassed as she nodded. She felt relief at being able to admit it to someone, anyone, even a one-time lover and a client of Nate's. It made it real, somehow. Or at least, more real than it had felt so far, with their love wrapped up in a tight little passionate bundle that never left the house.

"I am in love, Lance. And he is too."

They didn't say anything for a minute and then Lance nodded. "Then I'm happy for you."

"Really?"

"Really." He shrugged and winked at her. "I might have preferred if you'd stayed with me but I understand." He straightened and clapped his hands together. "Now, can I treat you to lunch?"

She laughed and stood up to give him a hug. "Give me a minute, Lance. I'm supposed to go out with my colleague but let me see if Mary-Anne doesn't mind rescheduling our lunch."

"Hmm. Is Mary-Anne single?"

Lizzie blinked. "Uh... I think so."

"Then I'm fine with being a third wheel." He lifted his eyebrows. "Or will you be fine as a third wheel?"

Lizzie just walked out of her office, laughing and shaking her head.