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FC surprises me by blushing. A nice pink to dot the center of his cheeks. “My dad has brought my mom here before. He actually knows the owners.”
We discuss some options of what to eat. FC is a bit more familiar, only because his dad told him what they’ve eaten when they’ve come. After we’ve placed our order, FC reaches across the table to hold my hand.
“How are you doing?”
“Good. Work is enjoyable. I’m having a hard time sleeping again, though. How are you?” I twist the napkin around and around my finger to keep myself occupied.
“Suspicious. Things have been quiet from Lila. She’s up to something. But other than that, happy as can be thanks to you and Sawyer.” He throws a smile my way. “Are you still happy you’re here?”
“Of course,” I answer without hesitation. “You should know that.”
He shrugs as if he isn’t sure. “I guess I expected your anxiety to calm down more than it has.”
I can’t help but laugh. “I’m sorry, FC,” I begin in a soft, sweet and sincere tone. “You aren’t my cure.” I squeeze his hand in apo
logy. “And this is a big change. I’ll have some anxiety just because of that. Things can be absolutely perfect in this world, and I can have some anxiety over something. I’ll always have some.” His shoulders fall a bit. “But you help me through it and at the end of the day, that’s all I need.”
He cocks half a smile. “This isn’t really day of love talk, you know.”
“You started it,” I point out. “What would you like to talk about instead?”
“How beautiful you are.”
I love him. Things are still crazy and we’re fighting an uphill battle, but even with the anxiety constantly flowing through my veins, peace follows. Because my one day with FC has finally arrived. My soul nestles close to FC’s and we’ll never have to part again. I have every reason in the world to be exceptionally happy and right now, I am.
We eat delicious food, talk about our upcoming weekend trip to visit my family, and eat dessert.
“Hey, where will we be staying while we visit?” FC asks.
“With my grandpa, if that’s okay with you? He has the extra room and he asked if we would.”
FC nods in agreement. I escape to the bathroom, and when I return I notice he’s quiet, but pensive, and for so long that I begin to worry.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’ve never really packed Sawyer and taken him anywhere. I’m trying to think of what I need to pack.”
I laugh. “Maybe we can think about that another day. Tell me a secret.”
He grins. “I’ve always wanted to dine and dash.”
My eyes nearly pop so far out of my head they could land on his plate. “We are not, FC.”
He draws eights on the top of my hand. It lures me in as his eyes pull me closer and his soul yanks hard on mine. “Let’s do it. They haven’t even brought the bill yet. The waitress is so busy, she’s probably forgotten about us. It’s been fifteen minutes since she’s even been within ten feet of our table.”
“We’re too old for this, FC,” I chide. My heart beats erratically at the thought that FC might be even a little serious about this.
“Never!” he whispers with a mischievous glint in his eye. FC stands, pulling my hand with him, and with quiet protests from me, he drags me out of the restaurant. His grin is victorious and ridiculous as we hurry down the alleyway.
“FC, we need to go back! We didn’t even leave a tip for that girl.” Did we seriously just dine and dash? We are not this type of people! If we don’t turn around right now, all I’ll be able to think about tonight is how we didn’t pay the bill and the waitress didn’t get tipped. I yank hard enough on FC’s arm that he stops to face me.
“What is it?”
“I can’t do this. I’m not carefree enough to do this. Or whatever personality trait a person needs to do this. Why in the hell are you laughing at me?” I snap, frustrated with him.
FC cups my face and kisses my nose. “I paid the bill while you were in the bathroom. I love that you at least made it out of the restaurant.” He chuckles while I glare at him. “Don’t be upset with me. This was a fun little experiment.”
“You’re mean.”
