I open the door, and he is holding up a beautiful royal blue dress. It is made of a chiffon material and has long sleeves with delicate ruffles on the cuffs. It’s a wraparound style with a ribbon to tie in the front. It looks like it’s about knee length, and the small ruffleson the cuffs have matching ruffles around the bottom of the skirt. It’s the prettiest dress I have ever seen.
To go with it, he holds up a pair of simple black strappy heels. The closed toe comes to a point, the heel is big enough to be elegant but small enough I think I can handle it, and there is a thin black strap that goes around the ankle.
“Ski.” I hold my hands to my mouth. I don’t know what to say.
“If you’re meeting the parents, parents who happen to be the mayor and his wife, you needed something…well…” I can tell he is trying not to offend me.
“Something that wasn’t from a thrift store and two sizes too big?”
“Exactly.” He smirks shyly.
“It’s perfect. Thank you so much.”
I take it and put it on. It fits me like it was tailor made. It’s the first item of clothing that has ever fit me, that has never been worn before. And the blue color is perfect. Ev’s favorite color.
When I come out, the old, bulldog, retired Marine tries to hide his watery eyes.
“Yup. Looks good.” He scratches at his eyes. "Damn dust."
I go up and give him a hug. “Thank you again. This means more than you know.”
Ev stands from where he was waiting. He looks dashing in his dress slacks, tucked-in white button-up, and bow tie. His jacket is tailored to his lean muscular body. He is radiant, like he just came off a red carpet.
“Jesus Christ, Leo. You are fucking stunning.” He wipes his hand down his face like he is doing all he can to hold himself back from being inappropriate in front of Ski.
“You’re not so bad yourself.” I give him a wink, and he comes up and grabs my face and kisses me. Hard.
“Okay, okay. Keep it in your pants please, Everett.”
When he pulls back, he slips a note into my hand. “To read before we go in.”
As I step up into his truck, I can feel my heart beating out of my chest. My hands are sweaty, and all my brain can think is run.
Run. Run. Run.
I completely zone out the entire ten-minute drive, and as we pull up the circle drive, I regret coming. Is it too late to back out?
“Open your note, pretty bird.”
I force myself to slow my breathing and begin to unravel his note from its tight origami.
You look stunning tonight.
I stop right there and roll my eyes at him. “You didn’t even know what I would be wearing tonight.”
“Does it matter? You look stunning every single time I lay my eyes on you.”
“Suck-up.” I roll my eyes again and continue reading.
I know you want to run right now.
You wouldn’t be my Leo if you didn’t.
But if you run, I’ll catch you, and I’ll tell you again how much I love you.
Because it doesn’t matter what happens tonight or any other night.
I’m yours, and you’re mine.
