“You driving to work today, or you want me to take you?”
I don’t know why I even asked, because I knew Gina’s ass never wanted to drive. She was a certified passenger princess. And I wasn’t complaining about it, because I loved that my girl didn’t like to drive. It was my duty to chauffeur her around. Besides, I didn’t feel comfortable with her ass behind the wheel anyway. Gina drove like a bat out of hell, and I didn’t think it was safe for anybody else to be on the road with her.
“Can you drive me, please?”
Gina had a baby voice that she used when her ass wanted something, and I couldn’t lie; I fell for it every time. Every time she poked her little lip out, I imagined those same lips on me, and every time she whined, it reminded me of the sounds she made when I was inside of her. There wasn’t a single thing about here that I didn’t memorize for one special reason or another.
“I don’t even know why I asked.”
“I don’t know why you asked either.” She shrugged with a little giggle
“Babe,look at all of this stuff the crew at the diner got for me.”
“I see. I should have drove the truck to pick you up. I don’t think everything is going to fit.”
We took our time putting Gina’s things in the car. I was in her whip instead of my own. Spending only twenty-five dollars to fill up her tank felt like heaven. It took at least sixty to fill my truck.
“I’m sorry for the puffy eyes.” She turned to kiss me once we were settled in the car. “I’ve been crying all day. It seems like I just started at the diner, and for them to show me so much love is crazy.”
“You become family instantly on base. Since people are always coming in and leaving out, it’s important to show love and embrace each other for whatever time you have together. It’s the culture of the military.”
Gina started tearing up again, so I knew I needed to change the subject. We had less than twenty-four hours together before she was flying out, and I wanted every last second to be happy ones for her. I wanted to send my baby off with peace of mind instead of a heavy heart.
“You up for another surprise?”
“Is it going to make me cry?”
“Gina, movies make you cry. I’m doing my best.”
We both laughed because she knew her ass was a crybaby. Trying to avoid her tears was like trying to stay dry during a thunderstorm. I drove Gina from work, straight to the picnic in the park I’d had set up for us. It was something simple, but I wanted us to be able to slow down time to spend with just the two of us.
The issues Gina and I had been having all stemmed from not knowing how to tell each other exactly how we felt. I wanted us to make it over that hurdle before she left. I wanted her to know whatever I needed to do for her to feel safe with me, I would do it.
“Ramel, did you do all of this yourself?”
“Nissa and Lex helped.”
“Oh my God, y’all did not have to do all of this.” Gina looked around at the setup in awe before continuing. “I love you so much.”
“I know.” I pulled her into my arms and pecked her cheek. “I love you too. We also went ahead and packed for you. Lex said she knew what you needed to take, so I let them handle that. I just threw in a few things for you to remember me by.”
“What didn’t you think of?”
“I’m sure it’s something, but I’ll remember before you do and go ahead and take care of that too.”
We spent the next few hours settling the issues that we were trying to bury with constant sex. All the sex in the world couldn’t make Gina forget I’d almost volunteered for a deployment behind her back, and being buried deep in her walls didn’t make me forget how much I would hate being in that apartment alone. I was an only child who felt like I never needed anyone else in the house with me until I met Gina.
“I’m going to miss the fuck out of you, Gina, but I will be here when you get back.”
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
Gina
Paris, France
Paris was beautiful. It was my third day there, and I was so happy that I decided to fly out to join my parents early. My mother had framed it as a way for us to spend some time together before the work started, and even though I was apprehensive, I agreed.
