Chicks, Man

Tears rain down my face as I stare into the eyes of a man put on this universe for me. To love me. To make me whole. His eyes shine with promise, and as I search into the windows of his soul, I see our future. The one even my seven-year-old self couldn’t have dreamed of. “So, you’re really willing to pack up and move? Leave everyone we love just so I can go to law school?”

“I’d leave it all in a heartbeat, as long as I have you.”

“Your job? My dad—”

“I’ll land a job anywhere we go. I’m resilient. Your father taught me how to be that.”

“What about the condo?”

“We’ll rent it, sell it, or leave it open for when we come home to visit.”

Oh my god, my heart is racing. These talks. We’ve had them a million times. They all seemed much easier when it was just talks. But this is real. I can’t tell if I’m starting to sweat from nerves or if it’s being soaked from the rain. “Are you sure?”

“I have never been more sure. Lead the way.”

A fresh round of tears soak my cheeks. I can’t fight the sob that erupts from my throat. Levi stands, bringing me into his arms and holding me close as I release a storm of emotions. Fear, relief…it all comes pouring out. Once my crying subsides, I pull away and focus again on the item in his hand. “Why do you have your high school championship ring?” I ask, hoping beyond hope he doesn’t say what I think he’s going to say.

Too bad the grin he wears confirms he is. Humor swims in his gaze. “I read once that a girl, long, long ago, had this fantasy that her one-day dreamboat boyfriend, who sounded really hot, would take his fancy football ring, offer it to her as a promise ring for their future, and they would ride off into the sunset on his ten speed.”

Why did I not throw that damn notebook away!?

“This does not sound familiar whatsoever.”

“Hmmm…” He pulls away just enough to reach for my hand and slide his football ring onto my index finger. “Are you sure? How about the part where they live happily ever after in her brother’s tree house and her mom makes them peanut butter sandwiches so they have more time to talk and—”

“Oh, enough of this. That notebook needs to die.”

Levi’s laughter brings life to my heart. I can’t help but smile as I roll my eyes. “Never.” He plants his lips against mine and offers me a kiss that has nothing on my childhood imagination.

When we finally break apart, he keeps his arms secured around me. “You know, there’s a page in there about your high school jacket,” I say, lifting up my finger to admire his high school class ring.

“Oh, I know. The flowers are a path to our bedroom where it’s laying out for you to wear—with nothing else. I’m thinking a little high school role-playing is in order.”

“You have a deal. But only if your high school tapes are playing in the background. You know how I get a little freaky when you shout plays.” His smile nearly knocks the wind out of me, just like all things Levi Dent.

“Together, babe, there is nothing we can’t achieve.” And with that double meaning, I’m up over his shoulder, being carried down the hallway to my very own happily ever after.

THE END