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She loves going to the movie theater but never has anyone to go with.
At least I know where I’m taking her on our first actual date.
She also dislikes doing laundry but enjoys playing in the flowerbeds. Cooking is the bane of her existence, but my girl loves to eat.
I also reveal things about myself like how I’ve always felt overshadowed by my sister. That I hate being referred to as a kid instead of the man I am. How I love hanging by the pool but haven’t done so much this summer. I even admit to how much I’ve always wanted a dog but Dad never let us get one.
By the time we’ve ordered plywood and nails to be delivered and made a coffee run, I feel as though we just had a speed date. Holding her hand as we drive, while chatting, feels right and the highlight of my day.
The hardware store said they’d deliver our supplies within the hour, so we head back to her house to start cleaning up on all the broken glass. My phone buzzes in my pocket and has been all night and morning. I’m sure after last night’s blowup at dinner, I have my entire family trying to reach out to me. When Sloane runs inside the house for a bathroom break, I bite the bullet and read my messages from last night.
Dad: Come home so we can talk. Your mother is upset.
Gemma: Are you okay?
Tate: Call me!
Callum: I think they call this Karma. Good job, little bro.
Spencer: Dinner and a show! Rex is a fan!
The rest came in this morning.
Tate: Let me at least know you’re alive.
Jude: Tate’s worried about you. Check in or I’ll hunt you down.
Hugo: Do you want to have lunch with me and Aubrey?
Gemma: Mom’s been crying. A lot. I’m worried about you.
Willa: Callum showed me his text. Ignore him. He’s an ass.
Callum: Dad’s freaking out. His baby boy ran away. I bet he wants to call the cops…but, plot twist, you’re banging one. He can’t easily fix this and doesn’t know what to do. Quite amusing if you ask me.
Aubrey: Lunch??? Miss your face.
Dad: Can we please talk, Son?
Then there’s a text from Spencer where he’s holding up Rex’s middle finger and grinning evilly behind his son. That actually makes me laugh.
“Are they blowing up your phone?” Sloane asks when she returns.
“You have no idea.”
I hand her the phone so she can read through them all. She also laughs at the picture of Rex. After handing me my phone back, she leans against me, resting her head on my chest.
“Who knew loving someone could be so difficult,” I say absently, kissing the top of her head. “I thought love was supposed to be easy.”
She pulls back slightly to smile at me. “It’s easy for us. Everyone else is just having a hard time with it.”
I can’t fight the grin that tugs at my lips. Her little slip about her feelings for me gives me hope we’ll make it the long haul.
“Mom is going to have to get over it. I’m not letting you go just to spare her feelings.”
Sloane squeezes me. “Me neither.”
All the challenges we’re facing seem manageable as long as I have this woman in my arms, reciprocating the way I feel. As long as we have each other, we can face them fearlessly together.
