Whiskey and Country

“I don’t know. It just never came up. All my life, I’ve shared everything with him. Except this. Only you and Stud know.”

I felt like puffing my chest. Pride traveled in my blood.

Dahlia grinned. “I told you it would be worth it.”

My heart swelled. The setting was perfect. I would’ve spent the night in this barn with her nestled against me. Far from everything else. Just she and I enjoying each other till the morning.

My lips descended to her lips, stealing a kiss.

And my body agreed with me, reacting to her closeness. Brushing her hair back with my fingers, I mirrored her grin when we pulled away.

“I’m glad you opened up to me. Your secret spot is safe with me. And I won’t steal your thunder because I can’t sing for shit,” I said.

Dahlia’s clear laughter filled the space around us.

“It can’t be that bad.”

She spun until her back pressed against my chest once again, and this time, I locked my arms around her and kept her tight against me, her head resting on the bend of my neck.

“Can I ask of you a favor? Something that’s personal to me?”

She nodded.

“Can you sing ‘Monkey Business’ for me?”

She angled her head and watched me with furrowed brows. “You like that song?”

“It means something to me.”

From the corner of her eye, Dahlia studied me for a beat, as if she could read the thoughts I didn’t speak out loud. As if she was communicating with my soul, leaving me out of the exchange.

Once she seemed satisfied with whatever she saw, she resumed her position, her back pressed to my front. She picked up her guitar, strummed a few strings, and sang.

…I thought there was a hippo in your closet

A monkey hidden under your bed

I thought I saw a lion in your kitchen

And a snake hanging from the chandelier

Because that’s what your love does to me, baby

You turn my world upside down

My imagination runs wild

I can become a pirate, a ghost hunter, or even an astronaut

There’s nothing I can’t do

No, nothing I can’t do

As long as you’re beside me…

As Dahlia plunked her guitar and crooned the funny lyrics that made Derek laugh so many times in the past, I mouthed them from behind her, wishing once again this night would never end, my heart so big in my chest, it could barely be contained.

Derek’s Bucket List – 17. Nick: Being speechless (in a good way)