Page 129 of The Lost Art of Finding Where You Belong

“I am well aware you can’t leave things alone. Just be careful. I’m not sure everyone would like to be… nudged.”

Perian nodded and said more soberly, “No, I do understand that. And I was maybe a little heavy-handed with Chamis. I really do mean always to leave it up to them to make a decision. This was just to give them an opportunity if they wanted to seize it. I know there are all sorts of entirely valid reasons why people who could get together don’t. I just hate for it to be because they’re unsure about the other person’s feelings. That seems such a terrible reason to not be happy, don’t you think?”

Brannal nodded. “Yes, that would be sad.”

But Perianwouldbe careful. And he’d have many other things to occupy his time. He might not have a profession like the others, but he was filling his days with meaning. He had wonderful friends who cared about him, and the best man who loved him. And a wonderful little girl to have picnics with. He definitely wanted to see Renny for himself and make sure everything was all right.

And if he maybe saw things that others didn’t notice, didn’t it make sense that he try to do something about it? Besides, imagine what could happen if he helped Cormal get together with someone. Perian would have done him a good turnandCormal would have someone else to focus his attention on. If Perian and Brannal really were going to last, then he needed to be better than almost civil with the man’s Secundus, didn’t he? What better way to make sure they got along than to help him find happiness?

“What are you plotting?” Brannal wanted to know.

“Hmm?” Perian asked with an attempt at innocence. “Oh, nothing. Looking forward to getting back, that’s all.”

Brannal didn’t look at all convinced, but after a moment, he simply said, “Race?”

Perian was nudging Lily into motion before the syllable had even finished leaving Brannal’s mouth, because there was no way he was going to let the other man cheat again. Lily galloped forward, Perian shouting with laughter and exhilaration.

“We can do it this time, we can beat him, I’msure of it!”

She was smaller than Warrior, but Perian was lighter than Brannal. They might make it.

They actually ended up neck in neck, and Perian was pretty sure Brannal was holding Warrior back a little. But it was wonderful to gallop together.

In unspoken accord, they began to slow down, and they settled into a more reasonable pace.

The clouds loomed larger in front of them.

“I still feel like it’s trying to tell me something,” Perian said.

“That rain is coming,” Brannal countered, entirely prosaically.

Perian laughed.

Brannal had a way of putting everything in perspective, and the fact he had planned this entire outing told Perian everything he needed to know. Brannal loved him, and they would face the future together.