Just a Taste (Private Relations 1)

Looking mildly uncomfortable now, Deacon said, “About the other night. I’m sorry that I pushed you. I know you’re doing the best that you can. That’s all that I can expect. I get frustrated when you get closed off, or assume I’m going to bolt, but that’s my issue to deal with. I still have a bit of guilt over our initial encounter, and I worry that it clouds the way that you see me. Also my issue to deal with. Not yours.”

“For what it’s worth, I understand what you’re saying a bit better now. Since we talked about it, I see it from your point of view more. I want you to know. I believe you when you say you love me. I know you’re not going anywhere. I trust you. I’m going to do my best to not let any of my baggage come between us.”

Deacon closed his eyes for a moment and sighed in relief. Then he said, “You don’t have any idea how happy that makes me. Hearing you say that.”

Sara’s mouth drooped for a moment as she said, “I’m sorry I’ve been so ridiculous. It was this morning that kind of drove the point home though. I had no idea you were afraid of heights. You didn’t even hesitate when I asked you to do something that’s obviously outside of your comfort zone. It was something silly. It wouldn’t have been a deal breaker if we’d skipped the parasailing. You did it because I wanted to. At the very least, I should be brave enough to give you the benefit of the doubt. You continue to earn it with everything that you do. I’ve just been so silly.”

Shaking his head, he said, “No. Not silly at all. You were right. It’s something you’re working on. I appreciate that you’re willing to do that for us. I had been wracking my brain trying to think about what I could do or say to make you understand that I’m really in this. I even thought about proposing. I thought, maybe that would help you to understand how serious I am about you. About us. Silly, right?”

Looking restless now, Deacon sat up, then levered himself up from the lounge chair to stand at the rail of the balcony. Turning to look at her steadily, he seemed to be waiting for her to respond in some way.

Eyes wide, Sara said, “I can see you put some thought into this.”

He must have taken her words as agreement because he continued. “It was silly because I realized that if you couldn’t or wouldn’t believe the words, then there wasn’t any point in my saying them. If you didn’t think I was capable of making that type of commitment or that you deserved that type of commitment, then it would just be meaningless. Ya know?”

Moving toward her, he crouched down next to her chair, took her hand and said, “Sara, you’re it for me. You’ve been it since I saw you standing in my lobby. I will never love another person the way that I love you. Who you are, who you’re going to be. All of it. It doesn’t need to be now, or even soon, but will you marry me?”

Sara blinked for a moment, her mouth slightly agape.

“More than anything I want you to understand that I’m willing to make that promise to you. And keep it.”

Nodding, with eyes shimmering, she said, “When we started dating, I never expected to feel this much for you. I didn’t expect you to be this beautiful, wonderful, irresistible person. I wasn’t looking for a relationship. I wasn’t looking to fall in love.”

Smiling now, she continued, “But you really gave me no choice. Every time I hesitated, you always did the right things, and said the right words. The fact that I believe them and I believe in you? That’s how I know that you’re it for me too. So, yes. I will marry you.”

Standing up, he pulled her out of her chair and into his arms. Lowering his mouth down to hers, they shared a long, slow kiss, filled with promise.

Raising his head slightly, his lips just a whisper away from hers, he said, “For the record, I wasn’t looking for love either. I guess love found me.”

THE END