Type All had an outstanding turnout for their first summer. As expected, Mallory immediately became a co-director with Dr. Martin. Throughout the school year, she offered education and support to campers and their families virtually, and she begins her Dietetic Internship and Master’s in Public Health in August.
Mallory’s the hardest working, kindest, and most intentional person I know. It’s why she demolished me senior year, taking the Brain Bowl with her, 1-2-1.
One win for me. Two wins for her. One tie for us.
“We’ve got a few minutes until we need to leave. Are you almost ready?” I call out, taking a seat on the couch.
Mallory steps into the living room and smooths out the emerald dress she let me pick for tonight. The satin material clings to every curve, accentuating the perfection of her fluid figure. I almost want to bail on our own graduation party because there’s no way I’ll make it through tonight without thinking about taking it off.
I grab her wrist as she walks by and pull her onto my lap. “You are so beautiful, Eddie. I don’t want to go to the party. Let’s just stay here tonight. What do you say?”
She smiles, allowing me to drag my finger up her inner thigh, toned and smooth legs parting slowly for me.
Then my perfect, incredibly punctual girlfriend checks her watch and sighs. “If we’re even a minute late, my mom and Nan will never let us hear the end of it. Imagine how bad it would be if we didn’t show up at all. Rain check?”
“Rain check, honey,” I say. “So, do you want to open gifts now or later?
Mallory crawls off my lap and grins. “Who says I got you a gift?”
I lean over and pull out the box she tried to hide under the couch. While looking for a puzzle piece, I found it this morning. Like every gift she’s given me over the past year, it’s covered with gray wrapping paper. I run my finger along the smooth edge, admiring how far her wrapping skills have come. For the twins’ birthday, she expertly wrapped all their gifts.
“Damn. I need to find better hiding spots. Go ahead and open it. I want you to have it for tonight.”
Liquid sloshes around inside and a million options run through my head. I rip the paper and surprise fills me. It’s definitely not what I assumed it would be. Heavy and cold in my hand is a glass bottle in the exact color of the dress the woman smiling at me is wearing. I trace the two words engraved on the glass.
“Lake Anita,” I breathe.
Mallory takes the bottle and spritzes the cologne on my inner wrists. If I wasn’t close to crying before, the familiar smell of cedar and citrus does the trick. “Now, no matter where you go, you’ll always have a piece of home with you. Check out the surprise on the back.”
I flip it over, overwhelmed with emotion at the drawing on the backside. Wonky cedar trees, a crooked dock, and violet water make the gift even more special because it’s drawn by Jaxon and Julie.
“This is… How do you… You’re too good at gifts, Eddie. Thank you.”
“I’m so proud of everything you’ve accomplished so far.” She presses a quick kiss to my lips. “Congrats, baby.”
From my suit pocket, I pull out a maroon box and place it in her hands, suddenly feeling inadequate. Every gift from her feels like winning the lottery. All the joy and pleasure without the increased funds, but it’s somehow even more exciting.
“You go through all of that work to make me a custom cologne, and I get you—”
“Holy shit,” she gasps. The dainty, gold chain hangs from her fingers. A small pendant in the shape of a four-leaf clover shimmers in the sunlight. The moment I saw it, I knew it was perfect for her.
A good luck charm for my good luck charm.
I clasp the necklace around her neck, and smooth gold nestles beneath the hollow of her neck. It’s gorgeous against the deep, velvety backdrop of her skin.
“It looks perfect on you, Eddie.” My eyes lift from her throat to her face, before searching for the maroon box. I place it back in her hand. “There’s a second gift in there for you.”
Mallory’s brows dip, as she pulls back the satin slip that separated the necklace from the final part of her gift.Then she gasps and shoots off the couch, pointing at me with the small gift clutched between her fingers.
“You want me to… Here? With you?”
“Yes,” I chuckle. “I want to make Lake Anitaourhome.”
She’s no longer looking at me, wrapped up in the key. She rolls the metal between her fingers, memorizing every groove and curve. There aren’t many things that can render Mallory speechless, but I see that asking her a big question is one of those things.
Noted.
“I don’t need an answer right now, nor is there any pressure to say yes, Eddie. Because no matter where you live, I’m happy with you.”
