Free A Way to a Dragon’s Heart by Xakara Page B

excited. “This is what you wanted, right? It’s a chance to see if there’s real hope for something long term and significant.”
    “It is. I’m just nervous; I can’t shut off my thoughts. I want to let things unfold naturally, but I’m hyper-aware of everything. I don’t want to come off eager or not eager enough, and I know the only way to ensure that is to just let it go and let it happen. I just have no idea how to actually do that.”
    Caleb pressed his lips together and nodded. “No wonder you don’t have room to fret about me. You’ve managed to make this incredibly complicated for yourself with only twenty-four hours to mess with it. Impressive.”
    “It’s not funny. I was actually glad when she had to take the conference call. It’s like after all this time pining, I’m suddenly afraid to be alone with her for too long. Tony would say that’s short bus even for me.”
    “Ah, yes, your eldest brother is such a lyricist, it’s true. But Antonio would be wrong,” Caleb assured him. “It’s perfectly understandable, Xander. This is the first time you’ve had a chance to really screw things up, and you’re scared. You should be. If we learn anything from the cryptic breakup with Landon, it’s that Kryssa can hold a grudge like only a True Dragon can. Caution is your friend. Hyper-caution that causes hesitancy, however, only looks like a friend, but it’s really out to get you.” He hooked his foot around a stool leg and pulled it closer. “Come on, have a seat and tell me how I can help.”
    He stepped back and gave Xander room. To Caleb’s delight, Xander sat and pulled him close again. “I probably shouldn’t say this, but I like the nervous, needy you,” Caleb confessed. “You kissed me when you got here, you’re taking physical comfort in me and all without the prerequisite grumbling that eats up our first half hour together whenever I come back into town.”
    Xander frowned. “It’s not every time, is it?”
    “No, baby.” He kissed him softly. “Just the times I come back after an argument like the one we had before I went to Europe.”
    “Sorry about that.” Xander blushed. “I know I was unreasonable. I’d just spent more time than I wanted to defending this whole idea to my brothers, and then just as they came around, you seemed to be disappearing. But your need to come and go isn’t predicated on how much hassle I’ve had from my family. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”
    Caleb clenched his jaw then forced it to relax. He took a deep breath and let the lingering scent of the caramel apple pie he and Kathleen had tested out that morning balance him. “I’m going to skip right over the fact your brothers were against me and go right to the fact they came around.”
    “Yeah, well, you know my mom and sisters always make them eventually either shut-up or come around. This time they came around.”
    “You mean Drew came around and dragged everyone with him,” Caleb corrected.
    “Yes, that’s what I mean.” Xander smiled. “For what it’s worth, I talked to him after breakfast, and he apologized this morning.”
    A string of starter syllables issued from Caleb between several deep breaths, but each refused to form a whole word.
    “Yep, that’s what I said,” Xander agreed. “I thought something serious had happened, but apparently Caitlin came to the rescue.”
    “I consider Caitlin to be something serious and she happened , so you were right. How is she?”
    “Three centimeters and still no contractions or other hints of labor last time I checked. The midwife will check her every few days, but until something else happens, she’s supposed to carry on like normal. The early maternity leave was unnecessary just like Caitlin told Drew. But it’s too late now.”
    Caleb gave a slight shrug. “I don’t know. She got an extra month at home to enjoy her pregnancy—well an extra, extra month now that she’s overdue, but still it’s more time to