Page 37 of Chalk It Up

“I thought so too. They’re for Maple. I saw them in Wilma’s garden and just knew she had to have them.” He says with the most playful, boyish smile on his face. I hit his arm while retrieving my flowers.

“Well, I will do my best to make sure Maple doesn't eat this very thoughtful gift. Dahlias just happen to be her favorite snack.” I sniff the gorgeous arrangement and set them on the kitchen island next to the mostly empty pizza box. “Are you sure Ms. Wilma didn’t mind you guys taking more of her flowers?”

“Not even a little. She was surprised they were even still blooming this late into the season. She wanted most everything pruned out for the winter so she insisted I take some. I think her old lady intuition knew I had someone I wanted to give them to.” He says nudging me playfully.

“You do, and Maple loves them very much.” And I think Maple might honestly think those flowers are for her the way she's been playing around August’s feet and rolling over the top of them like some kind of cat. “So what did you want to talk about?” I’m way more of a ‘rip the band aid off’ kind of person. I don’t like the agony of waiting for the shoe to drop, and if that’s what’s about to happen we might as well not beat around the bush.

“I want to take you on a date. A proper date, in public.” I think he can see the panic written all over my face because he attempts to placate me immediately. “Not Pine Lake public, obviously.” He says waving both hands in mock defense. “We can go a couple of towns over. I know you’re still concerned about your job and I respect that. I love our time on the porch more than anything. I just want to give you the world, baby, and I feel like I can’t do that if I haven’t even taken you on a date yet.”

“Well when you put it like that, who am I to disagree? Date me up. When do you want to go?”

“I was thinking tomorrow night, maybe? Before the week gets too busy.”

“Just tell me what to wear and I’ll be there.” August presses a sweet kiss to my lips and I joyfully respond in kind. He picks me up and spins me around and gleeful emotions are rotating with me. The man who sat across my desk is not the same man who is spinning me around my kitchen, and I couldn’t be happier with that because I’m not the same either.

“So did you tell Thea anything and everything about us?” August chides with me on our drive back to Wilma’s to pick up Adeline. His car smells like clean leather and it really does something for me.

I place my hand on top of his on the center console, desperate for connection. “Would you be upset if I did?” I ask it playfully, but it wasn’t something I really asked permission to do, and now I’m anxious I overstepped and he’s going to be mad. My anxiety instantly gets the best of me in unsure situations. “I’m so sorry. I should’ve asked before I said anything to her, especially since she’s your employee. Thea won’t say anything, I promise.”

“Woah, slow down, killer. I’m not upset. I’m glad you have someone to talk to about these things.” He massages my hand reassuringly and it’s like he instantly knows how to calm me down. “I know you’re not close with your family and you don’t have a sister. I would expect nothing less than for you to share something you’re going through with Thea.” He is so understanding that it would knock me off my feet if we weren’t sitting in his SUV. I can’t help but smile back at him even though we can’t maintain eye contact for long while he drives.

“I appreciate that. Thank you. Yeah, I definitely told Thea everything.” Happiness radiates all over me being able to tell my best friend about my…whatever August is, and also be able to talk to him about it. I love the openness I can have between my two favorite people in the world. I can’t wait until it’s in front of everyone and I can be with August out loud. “But she’s a steel trap. Nothing leaves her lips, and she understands how delicate our situation is right now.”

“She’s a fantastic friend. Did you girls eat already or are you hungry?”

“Thea and I had pizza, but if there’s something you already planned on making, I’m always hungry. But don’t cook on my account. I don’t like being a burden to anyone.” Opting for total honesty in my feelings. Dustin always made it feel like the biggest inconvenience if I had to work late and asked him to whip something up for us. Even if it were as simple as spaghetti.

“Baby, you could tell me you’re craving a five-course meal after you just had pizza, and it would be my honor to make it for you. Nothing you would need or want is a burden to me because I care about you and want you taken care of. That’s how this works.” Every time August speaks it feels like his voice is lifting a lifelong weight off my shoulders.

“Wow.” I look down at our hands sheepishly, genuinely stunned. “Thank you, I feel entirely the same way. I’d do whatever you wanted too, August.” We share some loaded glances and the temperature in the SUV cabin skyrockets. But we’re pulling up to Wilma’s house now so we snuff out those flames pretty quickly.

Addie skips out to the SUV before August even has a chance to get out and grab her, and Ms. Wilma just watches her from the window.

“Hi Ms. Jake! What are you doing here?” Adeline’s pep for life never ceases to amaze me.

“Well, your dad and I both have really busy weeks this week, and the program is happening really soon, so we figured I could help you some tonight. How does that sound? Unless you’re tired from today, which is totally fine.”

“No way! I can’t wait.” Easily placated, she turns her head in August’s direction while he drives us over to his house. “What’s for dinner? I’m starving.” We both chuckle at that and I’m thankful she’s starving because I am now too.

I’m not sure if August and I being in a relationship is the wisest decision for the fit of my clothes, because if this man keeps feeding me this way, nothing is going to fit anymore.

“August, that meal was delicious. I don’t know how you made something so delicious so quickly.” August made some sun-dried tomato pasta with grilled chicken and smoked sausages on it, and it might be the creamiest, most delicious pasta I’ve ever had. I swear I’d pay good money for the meals he makes. “But I can’t keep eating your meals because my teacher's salary isn’t enough to replace my clothes once they stop fitting.” Addie is already moving some of the dishes to the kitchen sink when I decide to tack on that last part.

“Evie, cooking for you is one of my most favorite things to do, and I can easily replace your wardrobe with whatever you’d like. I’m going to need you to keep eating my food.” He says it with a wink and a whisper, and I’m fairly certain it does something for him to feed me.

“Ahh the caveman provider likes when his woman eats his bounty. Got it.” I whisper back to him. I love our dynamic now. Messing around with August feels like I can be who I used to be, carefree and happy.

“That’s exactly it.” He says with a smile while picking up the rest of the dishes for Addie to rinse off. While they fall into their routine, I pull up some things Addie and I can use for tutoring on my phone.

Thankfully, I keep all of the program information in a drive I can easily access. I just know that parents like to ask questions at all hours of the day and it won’t matter where I am. I’ve definitely learned as a teacher that my boundaries are important, but I don’t like to make people wait for things for too long.

Addie heads back my way and plops into the chair next to me at the dining table. “So how are you feeling about the Christmas program?” I want to know where her head is at since it’s getting so much closer.

“I think I’m feeling excited and a little nervous.” Her ability to name and claim her emotions so confidently is going to do wonders for her throughout her lifetime. Every part of this girl is a testimony to how amazing she is and how loving her dad is. I can’t even believe I get the privilege to be in their circle.

“That’s a great place to be!” I encourage her. “Remember at the beginning you were really nervous and even kind of upset? You should be so proud of yourself.” Our tutoring routine flows easily and Adeline does such a great job maintaining the progress she’s made and I’m so proud of her. But she does her regular, pre-bedtime yawn and eye rub that tells me it's time to wrap it up. “I’m really encouraged by the progress you’ve made, Addie. You’ve done great tonight, but you’ve had a super long day, and I think it might be time to head to bed. What do you think?”

“I think that’s a good idea. But I want to stay out here and hang out with you.”