Someone Else's Ocean

“I’m so pissed at you.”

“I’ll fix this so you never have a reason to doubt me again. Say yes.”

“To what?”

“To all of it, to everything. Be my life. Marry me and if you say yes, I promise the only thing I’ll ever be selfish about again is you. Say yes and let’s go back to our beach.”

Three points to make a good argument, Koti.

Number one, you love him. Number two, you love him. Number three, you love him.

I didn’t want to fight anymore.

“Yes.”

“Again,” he whispered hoarsely, his gray eyes pleading with mine.

“Yes, to all of it. I love you, Ian.”

He let out a sigh as he gently took my lips, his slow kiss melting the space between us. “Let’s go home.”

“We don’t have a home.”

“Then we’ll do what we do best, and this time together.”

“What’s that?”

“Start over.”

Eight months later…

JASMINE CLASPED A GOLD BRACELET on my arm and stood back, tossing a piece of wavy hair off of my shoulder.

“You look so beautiful.”

“Don’t make me cry.”

“I’m not trying to. Today looks good on you. I’d be jealous if I didn’t have a hot ass man waiting on me.”

“I wish he could have been here,” I said, turning to look at my reflection. Most of my residual nerves of the day had faded as I took a sip of champagne. The last week had been kind and I was thankful. It had been weeks since I’d had an attack and for the most part, my body had been cooperating despite the stress of the past month.

But on the other side of my fear was a freedom I could never have imagined. In trusting Ian with my worries, in having him to lean on with my daily stresses, I found it much more bearable to deal instead of internalizing everything. It was incredible to me, the feeling of someone knowing me so intimately, he often knew just what to do, what to say so I didn’t feel alone with my fears. I had a partner for the first time in my life. He never dismissed my anxiety or placated it either when I needed to work it out. Simply put, he was just there in any capacity I needed him.

“Maybe I’ll get here someday,” Jasmine said, fidgeting with one of Banion’s beautiful bouquets.

“Oh,” I said with a knowing grin. “I have zero doubts you will.”

“I’d look ridiculous as a bride.”

“Please,” I said giving her an eye roll. “You’re still fresh, I think Banion started to cry a little when I told him you weren’t single.”

“I am single.”

I gave her a pointed look. “You are so not single.”

“I’m undecided.”

“And you’re loving it,” I said, kissing her cheek. “And I’m so proud of you.”