The warmth in my stomach makes me smile. Yeah, it’s time to make this girl my wife.
I push through the door of my building. My place tonight?
A few seconds pass, dots floating on my phone screen. I’m in the elevator thinking about taking out my car and driving to her.
I can sneak away for an hour.
It’s like I’ve won the lottery. I’ll pick you up.
I’ll get a ride. See you in a few.
My jaw tightens, and I’m pretty sure when she says she’ll get a ride, it means she’ll ride the bus. I’ll order you an Uber.
No need, rich boy. I’ve got it covered.
I don’t like it, but I trust her. See you soon, beautiful.
Stepping into my apartment, I look out the west-facing wall of windows at the purple, red, and golden sunset. It’s gorgeous, and I wish she were here now so I could wrap my arms around her small body, kiss her neck, trace my lips along the line of her hair.
From this height, I can see far across the expanse of flat, brown Texas prairie, and while part of me loves my home deeply, another part of me fell in love with the lush greenery of Harristown, the tiny hamlet where I attended college.
I first discovered it as a boy. My dad would take me there in the summer for the annual peach festival, and I want to take Angel there to see if she likes it.
It’s a painfully small town in the middle of the piney woods, but the people are friendly, and the peach orchards are beautiful. The truth is, I’d be willing to live anywhere as long as I’ve got my girl at my side.
I’m showered and waiting on a pot of water to boil in the kitchen when the intercom at my door buzzes.
“I’m here.” Angel’s voice is clear, and I hit the button, allowing her to access to the penthouse floor.
Opening my door, I watch the numbers on the elevator, waiting for it to ding before stepping into the hallway in my bare feet. Three apartments share this foyer, but I never see my neighbors. Finally, it stops, and the black doors silently swish apart.
Angel stands in front of me looking like the best thing in the world, and I can’t help a smile. She’s wearing a light blue sundress so short her silky legs are on full display. Her long hair hangs
in golden brown spirals behind her shoulder, with one lock curling perfectly over her small breast.
She takes my breath away, just like she did that very first day years ago. I’d just turned fifteen, I was leaving for my first year at boarding school. I thought I was happy to go, and instead it turned into the longest year of my life.
I lean against the open elevator doors, holding them apart. “Hey, gorgeous.”
Her pillow lips part in a smile, amber eyes crinkling at the corners. “Hey, handsome.”
The tip of her pink tongue touches perfectly white teeth, and the cutest dimple appears at the top of her cheek. Reaching out, I catch her upper arms, pulling her against my chest.
“Come here to me.”
I lean down and press my lips to that little spot just below her eye. What the hell are dimples anyway, and why are they so damn adorable?
Her lips are on my cheek, and I feel her nose wrinkle. “So possessive.”
“Longest day of my life.” I kiss her closed eyes, the top of her brow, then I press my lips to her hairline, taking a deep breath of jasmine. “You smell so good.”
“Something smells good. What is that?”
“Oh, shit.” I spin on my heel and holding her hand, I drag her into my apartment, leaving her in the living room while I kill the fire under the pot of water boiling over.
“Are you making me dinner?” She walks to the bar separating the cooktop from the rest of the dining area.
“Yes.” Holding out my arm, I drop a handful macaroni into the pot with a flourish. “I’m making you my signature dish.”