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"Sure."
He didn't let go of my hand as we crossed the clearing. I loved the feeling of my hand cocooned in his warm, much larger one. The grass was high, tickling my ankles. The only sounds surrounding us were birds chirping and the rustle of leaves. It was a sunny end of February day, which caused a conundrum. If we sat in the shade, it could become chilly, but if we sat in the sun, we'd start sweating. When we reached the trees, he laid out the blanket in the shade, pointing out that we could cover ourselves with the second blanket if needed.
"My lady, if you please."
"Why, thank you."
I sat on the blanket, stretching my legs. Graham lowered himself on his haunches, unloading the box.
"I made grilled cheese sandwiches and French pancakes with peanut butter and raisins."
"You made them?"
"Yeah."
I wouldn't hav
e cared if he'd bought our snack from a fast food joint, but knowing he'd taken his time to prepare this made everything even more special—and surreal. Was I really here with this handsome man? Could this really be my life?
"What are you thinking about?" he asked, sitting next to me.
"That this doesn't seem like my life," I said honestly.
"It is." He kissed the side of my head, then moved his lips lower, feathering them on my cheek before resting them on my neck. I shifted my position until my back was flat against his front.
The grilled sandwiches were delicious.
"Where did you learn to make these?" I asked after my third one. I wasn't even that hungry, but they were addictive.
"Nana's recipe."
"I'm already in love with Nana," I declared, munching happily.
"She loved showing me her recipes. Said she hadn't managed to teach my dad, but wanted to do things differently with me."
"Is she close to your dad now?"
I felt him go a little rigid, and regretted the question. I wanted him to open up to me, but in his own time.
"Not exactly."
"And your mom?"
"She passed away a few years ago. I wasn't too close to her either. My parents divorced when I was two years old. I lived with Dad, except summers, which I spent with Nana. Mom had visitation rights, and I saw her every other month. She remarried and had two more kids, but I’m not close to them. I’ve seen them a couple of times in my life.”
My heart clenched for Graham the boy. I couldn't imagine what that must have felt like.
"I'm sorry."
"I got used to her not being in my life. I missed her, but I got used to it. I overheard Dad tell Nana once that he wasn't equipped to be a single dad. I actually believe he just didn't know how to handle it. I told you not everyone was a great parent like you." He wrapped his arms a little tighter around me. Graham threaded his hand through my hair, moving it to one side and planting a kiss at the back of my neck. "I like how strong and independent you are."
"Thanks."
After finishing the sandwiches, we dug into the pancakes.
"Oh my God. You're a wizard, not a cook. Pancakes can't be this good."
Five minutes later, the pancakes were gone, and my belly was about to explode. We cleaned up with some wet wipes from my purse, and then I rested my hands on Graham's thighs, moving my palms in small circles. The sun had shifted in the sky, and so had the shade, so my feet were now lying in the sun. A gentle breeze swayed through the trees. This was heaven.
