Strings of Fate by Kit Bryan
Chapter 236

Strings of Fate

Megan 8- Presents and patience

What on Earth is going on in Darrien’s head? It has been months, MONTHS since he paid for my lunch IN FRONT OF MY BROTHER and started officially courting me. Ryann and Bellamy are officially and publicly together now, hell they’ve adopted a CHILD. And what progress have Darrien and I made? None. Zero. Nothing. It’s like there has been no change from when he was just my guard. We spend basically all our time together, that’s nothing new. I mean het lives with us now… he took the spare room next to mine. But aside from the occasional flirtatious comment and the fact that he pays for my meals whenever he replaces the chance, everything is exactly the same as it was. He hasn’t tried to attempt any of the other courting traditions, hasn’t asked me out, definitely hasn’t tried for any kind of physical intimacy. I have no idea what he is waiting for! Since Ryann gave her approval I started considering Darrien in a more romantic light and I’ve realised how absolutely dull witted I was being to not notice him earlier. He really is the sweetest guy I know, I feel safer with him than I do with anyone else. He gets along with my family, even Bellamy respects him enough to give. him extra responsibilities when he and Ryann want to take a break or need some time to themselves. Now that I’m paying more attention I’ve started noticing other things about him too. He calls his mother every night, he is really good at dealing with Kiara and Logan and he NEVER takes a day off. Escorting me around all the time is technically his job, so I never thought much of him being there. But most guards take days off, Aaron isn’t with Ryann all the time, sometimes Shaun fills in for him when he needs personal’days. I don’t think Darrien has taken a day off being my guard ever. He starts earlier and leaves later than any other guard and I checked with Ryann who has taken over managing a lot of the payroll stuff, and he doesn’t charge for the additional hours. He never complains, never demands anything, especially not from me. He treats my family like his own and everyone treats him like he’s my mate. But he’s NOT, he hasn’t even kissed me! I can’t figure him out, what does he WANT? He stares at me… a lot. That’s something else that I noticed once I started paying attention. I replace myself staring at him more and more often lately. A week ago I realised I was doing it. and I’ve come to an obvious conclusion. I want him. I already knew I trusted him, but I suspect I might actually love him too. Now that I’ve realised it I’m on edge around him ALL THE TIME. I just need our relationship to be defined properly, then I can stop worrying about. it so much. I’m not usually an anxious person. I pride myself on my confidence and outgoing personality. It’s why I believe my event planning business will be a success. I graduated recently and thanks to Bellamy and Ryann, I have the money I’ll need to get started. Their wedding is going to be my first big event. It’s going to be perfect. I’m the maid of honour obviously, and Darrien will be taking me to the wedding and sitting with me. He always sits with me, he’s my guard. But he hasn’t actually asked me or mentioned it. I don’t know if he’s going as my guard or my… well… as the guy who is courting me. My date I suppose.

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Emergency calls only Mu 05

Megan 8–Presents and patience

D93%

11:59

Tonight I am determined to get answers. I’ve chosen a courting gift for him. I took a page out of Ryann’s book and got him a spelled item (Thanks Cam!) that he can safely shift with. The simple gold chain necklace has a secondary spell on it too. It’s kind of like a mood ring or something but far more accurate and it’s linked to me. It changes temperature depending on how I feel. So if I’m upset or angry it will be cold, if I’m happy or affectionate it will be warm. It’s very general, but I thought that MAYBE it will give him a hint towards my feelings since he doesn’t seem to be catching on. Cam delivered it to me just now and Darrien will be back from picking up dinner any minute now. Bellamy, Ryann and Kiara are out getting dinner with Logan and Maggie. I’m completely alone in the house for the first time in ages. I perch myself on the couch trying to stop the pacing. Finally I hear Darrien get home.

“Megan?” He calls out.

“In here!” I respond. He enters, bringing with him the smell of pizza and garlic bread. It smells good but I don’t know how hungry I am. I’m too nervous. He instantly notices that something is up. He knows me far too well.

“Is something wrong?” He asks immediately.

“No. I… I have something for you. A gift.” I admit. He takes a seat beside me, placing our food on the coffee table. He waits, anticipation clear on his face. I slowly hand him the navy blue box that Cam dropped off not too long ago. He opens it, and reads the card that she included which explains the spells on the chain. He looks increasingly incredulous as he reads and by the time he finishes, he is absolutely beaming. He clasps the chain around his neck and runs a hand over it lightly.

“Thank you, it’s perfect.” He tells me happily. Then without another word, he turns to open the box of pizza. What the HELL? Is that all I get? I saw Bellamy and Ryann after she gave her courting gift. He could barely keep his hands off of her. I don’t even get a hug? I thought this would at least be a clear enough hint that he should kiss me. What is going on? I replace I’m getting increasingly angry as he serves me a plate and hands it to me. I drop the plate on the table, annoyed. Darrien places a hand on the chain around his neck and raises an eyebrow.

“Something is bothering you. Did you have something you wanted to say?” He asks calmly. Ugh, why is he so relaxed?

“Are you going to Ryann and Bellamy’s wedding with me?” I demand. Darrien takes a bite of

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Megan 8- Presents and patience

pizza and nods.

“Of course.” He answers easily. Okay, I don’t think he realised what I was asking.

“I mean are you going WITH me, like not as my guard. Are you going as my date?” I clarify. I can feel heat climbing up my neck and into my face and I try not to think about it.

“I really would like to be.” He answers. Again, he is completely calm and unruffled. Seriously, what does it take to get a reaction from him?! His lack of reaction pisses me off. Is he just going through the motions? He ACTS like he cares, but he never says anything.

“Then what have you been waiting for? Why didn’t you just ASK?” I demand, my voice getting louder and louder as I get increasingly frustrated. Finally, FINALLY he reacts. He drops his plate on the table, turns to me and grins a mischievous smile.

“I was waiting for you to ask me that.” Then before I can yell at him again, he wraps a hand around the back of my neck, into my hair, pulls me forward and kisses me. There is no hesitation in his kiss, no doubt. I can feel how much he’s been wanting this, how much he’s been holding back. When he eventually pulls away, he stays close and I can’t help but lean.

into him.

“Why did you wait so long?” I ask breathlessly. Darrien sighs.

“When I first met you, I thought I would have time and I was too nervous to speak up. Then all of a sudden you were in a relationship and I realised I had missed my chance. When you were… available again I knew I needed to say something, but I didn’t want to rush you after you’ve been through so much. You were in so much pain and I didn’t feel right pursuing you. when you were emotional and vulnerable. But I also knew I needed to make my intentions. clear and declare myself sooner rather than later so that we didn’t end up back in the same situation again with you unavailable and me pining after you. So I made our courting official and since then I’ve been waiting for you to be ready and to come to me. Which I suppose you just did.” He smiles a deeply satisfied smile and I can’t decide if I want to kiss him or punch. him. All this stress and anxiety because he was waiting for ME to make a move? It didn’t even. occur to me. Also, he’s been waiting for me since we first met?

“You might be the most patient man I’ve ever met.” I tell him dryly and he laughs.

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Megan 8–Presents and patience.

“Which is a good thing, because you made me wait a long time.” He points out and I groan.

“Don’t remind me. I’m not patient at all. I don’t know how you did it.”

“You’re worth it.” He answers softly, leaning in to kiss me again. We’re interrupted by Bellamy, Ryann and Kiara getting home. Ryann walks in and laughs in excitement.

“FINALLY!” She declares grinning at Bellamy.

“I am currently realising how weird it is to walk in on my sister with a guy. This might take some time to get used to.” He says in a teasing tone. I smirk.

“Well get used to it. Darrien was taking far too long so I’ve decided. He and I are together

now.” I narrow my eyes at Ryann.

“If

you

have an opinion on this you had better speak now or forever hold your peace because I am NOT going through all this again.” I say pointedly. She just shrugs.

“Congratulations?” She says awkwardly and I grin. Good..

“Auntie Megan 1-” Kiara stops as she enters the living room and assesses the situation. I am practically sitting on Darrien’s lap and she’s a smart girl.

“Does this mean Darrien is my uncle now too?” She whispers to Ryann very loudly. Darrien

answers on her behalf.

“I would love to be your uncle.” Kiara grins and runs in to hug us both. Suddenly my dreams of having a family of my own don’t seem unrealistic anymore, although I’m going to have to adjust them to fit my new goal of running my own business. Still I’m sure Darrien will help out. Well, I have a lot of new goals. I had better get started on them.

“Darrien? You should move into my room. Also, I think you should invite your mother to visit. It’s beyond time for me to meet her.” I tell him. No more waiting for me. I’ve never been.

very patient anyway.