They eventually got back into bed, facing each other
as they tried to fall asleep but something had kept the both of them
awake. Shane hesitated for a moment but made the move anyways.
“I’m afraid.” Carmen waited a moment to make sure she was hearing right. Was Shane opening up to her?
“Scared of what?”
“You.” Carmen laughed while Shane smiled.
“I’m not that scary Shane.” She replied but she knew exactly what
she meant. The truth was Shane scared her also. It had been a long time
since they both had felt scared like this.
“But I like being afraid I like you.” Do I love her? Shane thought.
Love? whoa whoa whoa, calm down cowboy.
“I like you too.” Something about saying that held more weight. Carmen
began to play with Shane’s hair and it wasn’t until then that Shane
began to fall asleep with Carmen still looking at her. Lost in thought,
Carmen wondered if Shane was beginning to take them seriously, or if
she would break her heart if she gave it a try. The next morning,
Carmen woke again, to an empty bed.

This time regretting she gave Shane so much of her
last night, she began to get dressed. Shane was already probably out.
She sat on the side of the bed trying to fight back the tears that were
forming and threatening to fall from her face. She slid her hands
through her hair.
“Good morning Car.” A smooth voice startled Carmen. She turned
around to see Shane in the doorway with a cup of coffee for her and an
Advil. She felt like an idiot. Her doubts slowly began to dissolve as
did her tears. Shane approached Carmen when she noticed that she was
hiding. Making her way towards her, Carmen got up and made her ways
towards Shane. Before letting words escape her lips, Carmen was already
in a full embrace holding on as tight as she could. Shane placed the
mugs on her armor and hugged Carmen back, face buried in her shoulder.
Shane understood what Carmen had thought.
“I’m right here. I didn’t go anywhere.”
“I know.”
“Here, have your coffee and take this, it will make you feel better.” Shane handed her the Advil.
“Thanks” Carmen said as she sat back on her bed using the sheets
to still cover her half naked body. Shane let the sun come into her
bedroom as she lay back on her sheets that remained. She preferred the
warmth of the sun better than that of a blanket.
“Come lay with me.” Shane patted the side of the bed that was empty.
Carmen couldn’t resist and took the offer, placing her mug on the stand
and snuggled close to Shane. As they lay there in holding each other,
it was more than obvious that neither of them wanted to let go.
Conversation sprung up about their plans for the day and they tried to
tie in as much time as they could to be together. But even while this
was in progression Carmen couldn’t help but begin to fall for Shane and
Shane couldn’t help but fall for Carmen. Carmen believed they could
work if they only took it one step at a time. She wanted Shane to be
her girlfriend, but she didn’t know if Shane felt the same way. But
after the recent events she was getting her hopes up, and for good
reason.

“Hey Shane.” Carmen was ready to ask her.; to ask her where they were. What all of this meant.

“Yah?”
“What time do you have work?” She chickened out, maybe it was too
soon. But when would be the right time? What if she never got the
courage to ask? Shane looked at Carmen strangely and answered her
question. She felt complete, with Carmen in her arms and she didn’t
want this feeling to go away. But she was so afraid of what that same
feeling could do to her. Maybe it was too late. Maybe she was already
too far in.