“Yes. Yes, I do.”
“I’ll get right on that. Got to get Emery so I don’t get caught.”
“Smart, smart man, Wesley.”
We laugh at that as we head to the truck. I help her in and get in myself before driving off. “So, I never asked what you have planned this week,” she says, and I exhale.
“I have my new therapist appointment this week, and I need to make a date with Aiden.”
“Oh yeah? You still want to do that?”
I nod. “Yes, very much so. As long as you want the same.”
“I do,” she singsongs. “And then we’ll go to the baby reveal together?”
“I am absolutely down for that since you’re my girlfriend and all.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Who said I was your girlfriend?”
“I did,” I say with a wink, and she laughs. “Or do I need to take you out again?”
She taps her chin. “Yup. I need more dates before I commit.”
I know she’s joking; I can see it all over her face. “Fine, can I take you to dinner tomorrow?”
“You can.”
“And then maybe you can teach me how to make cupcakes.”
“Ooh! Could I?”
“I want to if you want to.”
“I do! We’re doing a Harry Potter day. You can help with that.”
I know this isn’t going to go well, but I admit, “I’ve never seen those movies.”
She freezes, her eyes widening. “Yeah, I’m gonna need to fix that if you’re going to be my boyfriend. Harry Potter is very important in my family.”
“Okay,” I draw out.
“So, yeah. Let me know what night you have ten hours to commit to me, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and butterbeer.”
“Butterbeer?”
“Jesus. Do you live under a rock? I’m so sad.”
I laugh. “Fine, fine. Let me fix it. Can we break it up across a few nights? I need sleep.”
She thinks that over. “Yes, ’cause I, too, love sleep.”
“Thank you,” I say as I turn off the interstate. “But by Friday, you’ll need to commit to me if we’re going to the gender reveal as a couple.”
“We’ll see,” she teases, and I love her grin. It takes up her whole face, and the sparkle in her eyes is magnificent.
“For real. Especially since the whole team will be there and we already know everyone thinks you’re extremely hot.”
She snorts. “I mean, they’re not wrong, but I’ve got eyes for one guy and one guy only.”
“Damn right, you do.”
“Though, he hasn’t seen Harry Potter, so…ya know?”
I laugh, “I’ll fix it!”
Our laughs merge as we drive, the radio blasting and my hand in hers. I could do this daily and really feel like I’m winning at every turn. When we pull up to her house, I get out and help her out.
“One second,” I say, running ahead and going to the spot at the side of the house where Tanner put the package.
When I turn back to her, her eyes light up. “Shut up.”
I smile widely. “I got in my feelings, and I didn’t want our first date tainted by the death of your favorite heels.” I hand her the bag from Saint Laurent, and her eyes widen. “I wanted to make sure you had a replacement pair.”
“How?” She drops her bag and opens the box, pulling out the exact shoe she broke at the beginning of the date. “How did you do this?
“I had my buddy go get them for you. Figured you need your favorite shoes from your favorite guy.”
She beams up at me. “You are full of it today. Claiming me, putting labels on us, and deciding who my favorite guy is.”
I grab her by her hips, bringing her in close, the box hitting my chest, but I don’t care. “Tell me I’m wrong on any of those counts, and I’ll shut up.”
“I’d rather not. But if you are going to shut up, it’s because you’re kissing me, Wesley.”
Fuck, the way she says my name makes me hot everywhere. I capture her mouth, running my tongue along her lips before she opens up for me. I want to throw the shoes aside to mold myself to her, but I don’t want to be responsible for a second pair. She cups my face with her hand before moving it to the back of my neck to deepen the kiss. I don’t want to part, but I can’t breathe. Even so, what a way to go. As we separate, I kiss her lips once more as she gazes up at me. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“No guy has ever bought me shoes.”
“I’m not some guy. I’m your guy.”
She giggles as her eyes sparkle. “You’re going to be the death of me, Wesley.”
“Well, I’m the one who has to tell your brother. Plus, your sister has my number, so you might be the death of me.”
“This is true.”
I kiss her smiling lips once more, and I don’t want to let go. I know I need to, though; I need a good night’s sleep. I have early morning skate, tapes, and then therapy tomorrow. I need to rest. I kiss her one more time before pulling back.