BLAZE

Once there, I pulled into their circle driveway. I had a hand in creating this West Texas Oasis, but I couldn't help but admire it.

During one of their interviews to discuss the construction and landscaping plans, Rebecca and Robert emphasized their desire for a low-maintenance yard. In response, we lay down a beautiful white rock and install a timed sprinkler system for watering the trees and plants in both the front and backyard. Now, I'm eager to see the transformations that Lyra and Vega have made for the interior of the house.

I climbed down from my truck and walked up to the door. Pushed on the doorbell and waited for someone to let me in. Jace opened the door a few moments later.

"Come in, Blaze. Breakfast is almost ready. I went simple with eggs, toast, and bacon. I figured we could get a more hearty meal afterward."

"Sounds perfect to me, Jace."

Stepping inside, I glanced around at the open floor plan that surrounded me. The kitchen and living room were on full display, and my eyes widened in shock.

"Wow, they've done an amazing job with the painting and decor in here, Jace!"

They placed a plush, dark grey leather couch and love seat in the room, their smooth texture inviting and comforting. To complete the arrangement, they positioned nearby two light grey recliners, their soft fabric beckoning relaxation. Between the love seat and sofa, sleek black steel side tables stood, their smooth surfaces reflecting the ambient light. Another side table stood between the two matching recliners, offering a convenient spot for drinks or decor. The room exuded a sense of modern elegance, with the furniture creating a harmonious blend of comfort and style.

Their expansive entertainment center featured a colossal 70-inch big screen television affixed to the wall, emitting a vibrant glow that commanded attention. The shelves, integrated into the walls, housed an extensive collection of hundreds of books, their alluring fragrance wafting through the room. The walls, adorned in a soothing shade of light grey, exuded a sense of elegance and charm, leaving a lasting impression of sheer beauty.

Jace glanced over at me and laughed. "Hey, man, once Vega gets down here, you can go check out the upstairs rooms. Lyra decorated and painted the master suite and made it into their guest room. You can check it out until she arrives if you'd like. You already know what the backyard and everything else look like."

"Yes, of course. We laid down all with white rocks and planted the trees and plants ourselves. I'm looking forward to seeing how they decorated the rooms for sure, though."

I strolled towards the master suite, located to the right of the living room. As I entered, a gentle gasp escaped my lips. Lyra had adorned the walls with a delicate pastel blue, casting a soothing ambiance. The comforter, a deep navy blue, beckoned me to sink into its luxurious embrace. The sheets and pillowcases, mirroring the wall's hue, created a harmonious ensemble. If the girls ever ventured into interior design, their impeccable taste would yield outstanding success.

I heard Vega's quick footsteps echoing down the wooden stairs. When I emerged from the room, my eyes couldn't help but be drawn to the sight of her leaping into Jace's waiting arms. The pang of jealousy that stirred within me intensified as I saw how perfect they looked together, their palpable connection adding to it.

'Come on, Lyra, please wake up.'

With excitement lacing her tone, Vega leaped away from Jace and dashed towards the stairs. "Blaze, come with me. I want you to see mine and Lyra's rooms. Prepare to be amazed."

As I jogged to catch up to her, we soon ascended the stairs. After a brief walk down the hallway, she opened the door on our right.

As Vega enters the room, a somber expression crosses her face. "This is Lyra's room, and we'll have to move all of her things downstairs. It's unlikely she'll be able to make it up the stairs."

As I stepped into the room, its splendor surpassed what I had seen in the vivid dream I had. My focus had remained fixated on her, causing me to neglect the surroundings. She adorned the walls in a captivating shade of medium-toned turquoise, casting a calming aura. The air carried a faint scent of fresh paint, hinting at recent renovation, but I caught a faint aroma of her perfume. Glancing at the bookshelves, I caught sight of rows upon rows of romance novels, their colorful spines creating a vibrant display. The shelves also held trophies and track lanyards, serving as a testament to Lyra's athletic prowess. And it was no surprise, considering her well-defined physique, that had caught my attention during the dream.

Lyra's bedspread enveloped the room in a rich, velvety dark turquoise hue, creating a calming ambiance. The softness of her sheets, matching the walls, invited a sense of serenity. Turquoise held a special place in her heart. Fortunately, it wasn't a clichéd choice, like pink or purple, the stereotypical colors that girls often lean towards. Turquoise, a refreshing deviation, suited my taste just fine. Yet, when I had ventured into the living room and Master Suite, the cool tones of blue and grey that had dominated the surrounding space had resonated with my preference.

Vega grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the bathroom.

"Your work in our bathrooms was amazing. I even told Jace that this is what I envision for our future home once we're married and living on our own."

Smiling, I chuckled and shook my head. "I know what you mean. Don't laugh but I live in a rental house and don't have a bathroom near this nice. I'm jealous."

Vega wrinkled up her face. "You own a construction company, build homes for a living, and you're living in a rental home? No offense, but that's odd."

I chuckled and shrugged my shoulders. "One of these days, when I find a woman and get engaged, that's when I'll start focusing on building a family home. Until then, I require nothing fancy. My life revolves around work, and when I find some spare time, I dedicate it to running or going to the gym. However, given my profession, physical exercise isn't a top priority."

As I observe the sadness on her face, I can't help but expect what she is about to say. "Jace has shared some details about your past relationships, and I'm sorry they haven't worked out for you. Interestingly, Lyra has also faced her fair share of challenges in relationships. I'm looking forward to the two of you meeting. I have a strong feeling that she will adore you. It's just a hunch I have."

"I'm excited to meet her someday. There's something I need to share with you that might be unsettling, but I trust you enough to confide in you. Please refrain from shouting. I want to assure you I had no involvement in what occurred. The situation is perplexing, though."

"I'm easy to talk to, Blaze. So go ahead. I promise I won't bite."

She closed the bathroom door and began walking towards her room. I followed behind, taking one last look around Lyra's room before shutting the door. As we approached Vega's room, a pang of sympathy washed over me for Jace. Her room's adorned with an array of pastel purples, each shade more vibrant than the last. A small chuckle escaped me, unable to resist the whimsical sight.

"What's so funny?" Vega asked.

"Oh nothing, you girls may look alike, but..."

'Aw shit. Did I just let that slip? Nice one Blaze.'

"How did you know we look alike?"

"From family photos on the walls downstairs. And you showed me pictures in the hospital, remember?"

Vega raised her eyebrows and admitted, "I forgot, I'm sorry."

Then she continued, explaining that Lyra is all about comfort and has a more tomboyish style with dressing. She had struggled to convince Lyra to wear a dress, as she was never willing to do so. She confessed it was Lyra who had chosen the colors grey and blue for the downstairs area, wanting to avoid making it too obvious that women lived there. Vega then explained that decorating and painting the guest room downstairs, Lyra didn't want to draw attention, so she chose turquoise with a little persuasion from their mom. She said that Lyra had confessed that she would have preferred black and red or the same grey and blue color scheme as the rest of the downstairs area. In the end, it was uncertain which colors would have been chosen had it been up to Lyra. She shrugs her shoulders and glances around.

"So she's more of a Tom Boy type of girl then? I see nothing wrong with that."

"Yes, she's more of jeans and t-shirt type of girl. In comparison, I'm the skirt and dresses type of girl. I'm messy, as you can tell by my room, and Lyra is a clean freak. I'm shy, and Lyra is more outgoing. We may be identical, but we are complete opposites."

Jace walked into the room a minute later and hugged Vega from behind. "Breakfast is ready. We should hurry, so we aren't late."

We all headed downstairs and into the dining room area. My hopes of telling her about seeing Lyra in college three years ago and the dream forgotten.

Jace had arranged the table with a crisp tablecloth and gleaming silverware. The glass containers held the refreshing aroma of milk and tangy orange juice. As we settled into our seats, the clinking of glasses filled the air. I poured myself a glass of chilled milk while Vega and Jace reached for the vibrant orange juice. The table soon became a colorful feast as we piled our plates with delicious food.

"So what was it you wanted to tell me earlier, Blaze? We got sidetracked. I'm sorry."

She shovels some scrambled eggs on her plate and looks towards me with furrowed eyebrows.

"Don't flake out on me because Jace is here. He won't care, and I would most tell him later, anyway. I talk to him and Lyra about everything."

She gestures for me to speak and takes a bite of her toast.

"Last Friday night, I had an amazing dream about Lyra, but I won't delve into the details. When you approached me at the ranch with Jace, I mistook you for her. It was when you were showing me pictures when we were at the hospital that I realized you two were identical. Three years ago, while I was still in college, I saw her. Ever since then, I've been searching for her. Her room matched what I remembered from my dream. It may sound insane, but it's the truth."

Vega and Jace both looked shocked. Oh man, are they going to hate me now? I just started shoving food into my mouth.

"That night, Lyra had a dream about someone, but her disappointment was overwhelming when she realized it was only a dream. The dream was a wild and intense experience, leaving her feeling unsettled. It took some convincing to persuade her to visit the ranch, but now she's in the hospital, and I can't help but blame myself for the unfortunate turn of events."

There's no way I'm letting her take the fall for everything that has happened to Lyra.

"For one, it's not your fault Lyra is in the hospital. You get that thought out of your head right this instant. It's that drunk asshole's fault. You had nothing to do with her accident. Don't you dare, for one second, blame yourself. Do you understand?"

Vega nodded and took a bite of her bacon.

"I believe that she and I shared the same dream, and it is my firm conviction that Lyra is my soulmate. What you have just revealed only strengthens this belief. However, we cannot confirm this until she awakens from her coma. Therefore, I have decided to exercise patience and focus on what I do best. Working my ass off."

"I believe you could be the man with mesmerizing blue eyes she's been fixated on for the past three years. It must have been you she encountered that day. She didn't pay attention to any other men. Until an entire year went by, and she couldn't locate you. However, as you mentioned, Blaze, we cannot be sure about anything until she emerges from her coma."

I hope she wakes up soon so we can piece everything together.