She hangs up before I can even say bye. She knows that’s one of my pet peeves.
Taking a deep breath, I open up the text because my sister is right, I can’t ignore it. That feels cruel. I can do this, though.
Piper
I hope you’re doing well. I’m sorry, I can’t. I’ve started seeing someone.
I hit send before I second guess myself. His response comes immediately. Was he waiting by his phone? I hope not.
Rob
That’s cool. I wish you the best.
Maybe Paula was right. His reply doesn’t sound as if he’s mad. Maybe a bit passive aggressive. But he could have been cruel since I didn’t let him know immediately after the date.
Not my problem anymore. I delete his number and toss my phone on my bed. Digging through my bag, I see what all I’ve packed. I still need a towel and some clothes to change into. There’s no way in hell I’m riding home damp. It’s never a fun experience.
Hurrying to the bathroom, I grab a towel before searching for extra clothes. I don’t need anything fancy, but maybe more than leggings and a t-shirt in case Beau wants to stop for dinner on the way back.
I shove all the items into my bag and move to the living room. He can’t blame me not being ready today. It wouldn’t matter though because today I get to spend the day with my boyfriend. The term fills me with so much excitement it’s ridiculous.
“Let’s go in the lazy river.” I motion Beau to follow me. “It’s practically empty.”
There are still quite a few people here, but it looks like it’s those with littles or wanting to avoid teenagers. Apparently, we all had the same idea today.
“Do you realize how much pee is probably in that?” He shakes his head and crosses his arms over his chest. Defiant Beau is a sexy Beau. I’ve always thought this, but now I can ogle him freely. “Don’t think you undressing me with your eyes is going to make me budge. It’s not happening.”
“That’s usually kids, and there aren’t many here outside of those in the area specifically for children.”
“It’s funny you think adults don’t do it, too.” He takes a few steps toward me and pulls me into his arms.
It’s hot and he’s sweaty, but I don’t mind. I’ll let him hold me no matter what. For the longest time I only let him hold me after a bad date or a fight with my siblings. This is different. He’s holding me because he wants to. Because he wants me. And the thought of him letting me go one day sends a pang of panic throughout my body.
Shaking that I away, I look up at him with my biggest puppy dog eyes. He’s never been able to resist them. “Please? Besides don’t most places like this have that chemical in the water that shows when people pee.” I glance toward the river and the crystal blue water. “I don’t see any color puddles anywhere.”
He kisses the top of my head and squeezes me in a bear hug. “You better be happy I love you. I wouldn’t go traipsing into a germ ridden river for anyone.”
Love falling from his lips has my knees buckling. We’ve said it a million times before, but never since we’ve started seeing each other romantically. I’m not sure which way I should take it. I’m choosing not to overthink it and roll with it.
“How many lakes and creeks have we swam in?” I pull away to lead him toward the river, grabbing a tube on the way. “I’m pretty sure those have more germs than this.”
“Probably.” He shrugs as he helps me into the circle tube. “The only difference is those are out in nature. I fully expect to swim with fish and there to be germs. This place is man made. There’s a difference.”
“If you say so.” There’s no point in arguing with him. I got him to come in with me to wind down, and that’s all that matters. The only thing that would make this better is a margarita in my hand.
He climbs into his own tube, and reaches for my hand to tether us together. “Are you good?”
“Yep.” I close my eyes and lean my head back. “This is the life. We should play hooky more often. Floating here is way better than working.”
“Sadly, we can’t live on river vibes.” He pulls my float closer to his with so much force I almost fall off.
My eyes jerk open and I see there is someone ahead of us and I would have ran right into them. “Thanks for the save.”
“Forever.”
Commitment has always terrified me. But him saying that one word doesn’t make me want to run for the hills. I was always so worried about choosing the wrong person to spend my life with, but with Beau…it wouldn’t be the wrong person. Not that he wouldn’t always be in my life as a friend or anything. It’s just much nicer with him as a partner. Someone to take on the world with. Which is why I need to tell him about the text I received this morning.
“So, I got a text this morning.” Yes, it’s a dumb way to open up the conversation. It’s hard though. We’re solid, I know that. He’s always been more understanding than anyone else I know. But this is different because now we are so much more.
