AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She strokes my cheek and pushes onto her toes to kiss me. Emmie squeals with happiness as she does.
“I love you. And I love this. I can’t wait to start planning.” She grabs my shirt. “Are you really sure we can afford it right now?”
“We might have to cut back on some things here and there, but it’ll be worth it.”
“It absolutely will.” She looks back at the plans, enamored. “These are perfect. You’re perfect.”
“Nah. We’re perfect together.”
With a happy sigh, she leans against me, Emmie wiggling and bouncing in her arms as she does.
My heart is full, absolutely overflowing with love and gratitude for these two.
I never dreamed I’d be here right now. That I’d already have a beautiful family and future like this, but I will forever be grateful this is the path life took me on. I ended up with something so much better than I dared to dream for myself. And with these two girls at the center of it all, I know it’ll only get better from here.
I’m a lucky man, and I will never take a second of that for granted.
Mackenzie
My phone buzzes on the table next to me, and I reach for it, careful not to disturb the cat sleeping happily in my lap.
Hyla got home from almost six full days of travel early this morning, and I can’t wait to see her. I’m at Lana’s today while she gets some things done, and later we have a meeting about the nonprofit. Hyla had errands to run, so we won’t see each other until tonight. That’s okay. I can live with that and focus on other things. Mostly.
Except not really, because she’s been texting me all day and we’ve spent all week flirting and stealing phone conversations whenever we could. We haven’t made anything official yet, but I’m hoping we will tonight.
Though it’s scary to go down this road again, I know Hyla is far from the same person she was nearly five years ago. We’ve gone through so much, still holding on to each other, still loving each other—even if we couldn’t admit that. I’m ready to find out what we could be now. A new, better version of us, even though we still have things we need to work through.
I smile, seeing a message from Hyla. Not that I’m surprised.
Hyla: I may be planning something special for tonight. What time will you be done with work?
Me: Around 5.
Hyla: Perfect. I’ll meet you at your apartment around 6. Pack an overnight bag.
Me: Ooh. Are we going on an adventure?
Hyla: Something like that. Now get back to the fur babies.
Me: Yes, ma’am.
Hyla: [saluting emoji]
Laughing, I turn my screen off and shove my phone to the side. Only four more hours until I see her. Let’s see if I can stay focused until then.
Today felt so long. Usually it doesn’t when I’m at Lana’s, but we spent half the day going over confusing paperwork, and I don’t think that’s fun for anyone, especially when they’d rather be with their maybe girlfriend who they’re stupidly in love with but not officially with yet.
It’s me. I’m the problem.
Right now, I’m tearing through my apartment, packing an overnight bag with a variety of clothes since Hyla has told me nothing about where we’re going or what we’re doing other than it isn’t fancy. I still want to look a little fancy for her, though.
My mom stole Cocoa for the night since I wasn’t sure where this adventure I’m going on with Hyla would take me. Not that Cocoa minds. My mom lets her sleep in bed with her and my stepdad, so she gets double the snuggles. I think I might’ve convinced them to consider adopting a senior dog themselves. The nonprofit isn’t even open yet and I’m already nailing this.
Now, I need to nail looking sexy.
I put some serum in my hair and did my makeup. Now I’m bouncing between my closet and my dresser, trying to find the right outfit. I settle on some jeggings and a crop-top tee with cute ankle boots. And a lacy bra. Because I love lacy bras. They’re effortlessly sexy.
I’m zipping my bag shut when there’s a knock at the door.
