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Jenni
Thingshadbeenawkward between Danny and me for the last few weeks, he insisted we talk about things when we see each other, and unfortunately for us life had gotten in the way of that.
Finally, this weekend I was going to get to see him. Even if it involved me driving back to Lighthouse Landing… again. I understood that he had gotten called into work. It was blueberry festival season, and even a small town like them would be feeling the pressure of the increased tourism, so it only made sense that they would be all hands on deck this weekend. I was just glad that he hadn’t canceled on me all together.
During the silent drive, my mind had concocted at least a dozen ways that this weekend could go, some good and some bad. Considering the tension between us since I had pushed him to define our relationship a few weeks back, I wasn’t sure I was going to get the outcome I wanted. I had used the whole two-hour drive here to prepare for that possibility.
It was hard to tamp down my excitement at finally seeing him after nearly a month. I knew in the long run that time frame was the blink of an eye. It was hard for me since we had never gone more than five days without seeing each other from the moment we met, so it had felt like an eternity. If things don’t go the way I want them to this weekend, I’m really not sure how I will handle it.
Danny had become too important to me. He was my rock when I needed it, and my soft place to land at the end of the day. Even from two-hours away, I could count on him to be my biggest supporter. Without him I would be lost. Which is why no matter what happens this weekend, I’m not going down without a fight.
He’s the only man for me, and I plan to prove it to him.
That’s the thought that’s running through my mind as I turn onto Main St., and drive past the IceBerg before parking right in front of the fountain in Town Square. Danny told me to meet him by his mother’s coffee shop so he could give me the key to his house.
As I pull into a spot, I see him standing out front, leaning against the brick building. I’ve heard people say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but it isn’t until now that I finally understand that saying. I feel like I haven’t seen him in years, and getting my first look at him is as if I’m drinking water for the first time after being in the desert. I can’t get enough of his long, muscular limbs. The way his jeans hug his thighs just right, or how his shirt is just this side of too tight, showcasing the muscles in his arms.
I wiggle in my seat, trying to relieve the pressure growing between my legs. I catch the smirk on his face as he watches me. He knows exactly what he’s doing to me. He’s seen the results time and time again.
“Hey, darling. You made good time.” He walks over, opening my door, and leans in to give me a kiss once I get out.
The innocent peck quickly turns too hot for public. He props me up against the car, his tongue parting my lips and diving in to taste me.
“Mmm… I missed you so much.” He moans as my heart soars at his words.
“Did you though?” I ask without thinking, causing him to step back and look at me in confusion.
“Did I, what?”
“Did you miss me?” I ask again, realizing I was starting this off all wrong, so I attempt to backtrack. “Never mind, don’t answer that. I’m just being emotional. I want to enjoy our time together, not fight with you.”
“No, no, no.” He says in reply. “I know that I messed up, and while I thought we would get breakfast first, and I’d have time to do some groveling, maybe I need to skip right to the surprise.”
Danny takes my hand in his, and despite my confusion, I follow as he leads me across the street toward the police station. We keep walking, only waving briefly to his fellow officers. I don’t miss the knowing glint in Betty’s eyes as she watches us walk by with just a wink in my direction. We walk past the station, crossing the side street to stop in front of the corner store that’s been empty since the very first time I had stepped foot in this small town.
Only it looks different now, instead of the ‘For Rent’ sign in the window, they’re covered in white paper, hiding what’s inside.
“Oh, wow. Someone rented it. I’m so glad. I always loved this spot, it was a shame to see it sitting empty.” I tell him even as I feel the disappointment spread through my body.
Although I’ve never said a word about it, this little corner shop has been the center of most of my dreams in this small town. It would’ve been a marvelous studio, with the glass windows that surround the building, and the perfect view of the town and ocean. A place I could’ve grown a business alongside the life I had planned with Danny.
“Someone did, and that’s part of the surprise, but first I need to say some things.” He runs his hand through his hair as he turns to face me, then he takes both of mine in his while he gazes into my eyes. “I messed up. You asked me what we were, and I didn’t know how to answer.”
“It’s okay, I was pushing too hard.” I rush to say, not sure where he’s going with this.
“No, it’s not okay. I let you think that I didn’t know what you meant to me by not talking about it, and that was a lie. I just thought it would be better to do this face to face, not over the phone. You are my everything, and I am in love with you.” He pauses.“I love you, Jenni, and I want forever with you.”
“I love you too.” I whisper, slightly in shock at his heartfelt declaration.
“I know you do, and I should have trusted my heart, but I was worried it was too soon, worried you would run. I knew better, but I let my doubts get the best of me, and I hurt you in the process. Something that I never wanted to do.” His tongue peeks out as he licks his lips. “I needed to do something to prove to you how serious I am about you, to show you exactly how I want our future to look.”
He points toward the building and my heart starts to pound in my chest… he didn’t… he couldn’t have…
“I rented this place for you. I want you to finish school, and then I want you to move here—to Lighthouse Landing—with me. I want you to be mine forever. I want to wake up and fall asleep with you in my arms each and every day. I want to live my dream of being an officer, while you live yours as an artist. I want you to have it all, and this is just the beginning. This is officially the future home of Jenni’s Designs, or whatever you want to call it.”
I launch myself at Danny as he catches me and I wrap my legs around his waist. I grab his hair in my hands while our mouths clash together in a searing kiss.
“I love you so much, Danny. You just made me the happiest woman on the face of the Earth.”
