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It was just as I remembered, the pink and blue blocky classic logo. My favorite mom and pop ice cream shop was still standing after all those years. My eyes dragged across their entire selection as I meticulously looked for my favorite. “Ah-ha! Dark chocolate turtle dove with crispy wafer pieces. My life is fulfilled. You’re going to absolutely love it.” I shimmied in place over the nostalgia coming my way.
“They don’t make it with actual birds, do they?” Nathan joked, evoking a sarcastic laugh from me.
He stood behind me as I continued talking about my memories. He stood behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist, kissing my cheek repeatedly like a love struck fool. His mouth was right up against my ear, quietly humming in the contemplation of his flavor. He leaned in to kiss my neck and to whisper, his hot breath buzzed in my ear.
“If I’m being honest, I’d rather lick you than ice cream. You taste so good.” He said in a raspy voice, vibrating all my bones from within.
I swallowed and chewed on my lip. He knew how to make me feel so exposed, in a good way. My electric nerves stirred within, illuminating my cheeks with a subtle blush. Just like back at the bar, I once again felt like all eyes were on me, starting with the kid behind the counter.
“What can I get you?” The quirky young boy asked. His white paper hat tilted; its stability compromised by the slightest gust.
“Uhhh,” I couldn’t speak, but it was really Nathan’s fault with that surprise attack of steam. Excuse me, while I fan myself over here.
“You’ll have to excuse my girl, she’s so excited to be here she’s tongue tied. You’d think I never take her out by how overwhelmed she is. So many options, so little time.” Nathan was so sweet. Check. Charming, double check.
I fawned over his words, but the kid looked at him blankly. I think he was stoned. His apron—to be frank—looked delicious. It held the cumulative stains of every flavor in shop. He was essentially a slow breathing sample spoon, and I could appreciate that. I think Nathan rebooted him back to life as he placed our order, but I was still fixated on what Nathan said most of all.
Wait, had he just called me his girl? Those two words filled me up with warm fuzzies. I supposed this was a date; it was charming really, the way Nathan scooped out his entire cup of ice cream, clawing at it until every drop of strawberry was claimed. I couldn’t blame him, not even a little bit. I licked my cup clean hoping he wouldn’t see me, but he glanced up with perfect timing. I was mid-lick.
“Hey, let me try that flavor before you devour your cup clean.” Nathan said. His hand was out, gesturing me to give it up.
“You didn’t share your ice cream with me and yours and is gone.” I squinted at him, not willing to play his game.
“True. Do you like strawberry?”
I shook my head, because chocolate was the ultimate flavor. Strawberry didn’t come close. But he had a point and I should share. I scrapped through a few collective pieces to have him try. It was practically semi-melted. As I tried to airplane the spoon into his mouth I surprised him by tipping it on his nose. Nathan jolted back with laughter.
“You little sneak,” Nathan laughed out. I wasn’t going to share, really, but he leaned in close. I grabbed ahold of his shirt, fisting it into my hand and pulled him in. I wanted to lick the tip of his nose clean. What could I say? I didn’t want to share. Instead, he rushed in, attacking my face with a trail of kisses, leaving blots of soft chocolate on my delighted skin.
“You weren’t kidding, this place is great, and by the looks of your cup,” he set his down beside mine, “you’ve truly enjoyed yourself.” He said with a sly smirk, almost as if there was a dirty innuendo, but I was aloof to it.
“You know,” the scraping sound of his spoon as he spoke was surprisingly satisfying to hear. “I want to know what’s on your love bucket list. Anything we can strike out today?”
He remembered from our night of hot sexting. I had never really shared that with anyone —except for Eve of course— and I had almost forgotten that I had even mentioned it. “Anytime I felt adventurous, I’d jot something down that tickled my fancy. Sometimes it was inspired by a romantic comedy, other times by scrolling through insanely hot Instagram photos. It’s silly girl stuff, really.”
“It’s not silly to me. I know I helped strike one thing off your list. What’s another?”
Should I indulge his question and give up another item or two? Not like it’d happen anyway.
“I’m not sure I should share more, I mean… the sexting was beyond hot and something I’ll never be able to get over. That was quite the experience, Nathan.”
“Not giving up.” He smoldered his way into my heart as he stared deeply into my soul—that was how it felt anyway.
“Ok, ok fine. There may or may not be public sex on my list and, to balance it off, a romantic grand gesture in Paris, specifically by the Eiffel Tower.” I covered my reddening face. “I can’t believe I just told you that.”
Nathan uncovered my face, placing my palm into his hand. It made me smile as he looked inquisitively along my fingers. My personal fortune teller.
“Ah ha.” He proclaimed quietly, his voice soft and deep, as he traced along the lines of my palm. “It’s your lucky day. A handsome man has been sent to help you with your list.” He raised elated hairs along my neck, “Maybe sooner than you think.” I laughed, slapping his shoulder, making him smile.
“I don’t want today to be over,” I stared into his eyes, noticing the shiny gloss that washed over them.
“My only regret is the short time we have together.” While he spoke, he seemed hesitant. His eyes stared at our laced fingers, for what felt like minutes, but then the timer on my watch vibrated.
“Oh shit, Nathan, the movie! We gotta go.” The man had quite the reflex, as he snatched our cups and grabbed my hand. It may have seemed simple, but it was a moment I would never forget. Nathan and I running, holding hands in public, laughing like a couple in love.
15
Nathan
