We eat slowly, talking about the HR meeting, the conditions, what it means for us going forward. He's thought through everything including how we'll handle work events, what we'll tell people who ask, and how we'll maintain boundaries.
"You really plan for every contingency," I observe.
"I told you. I don't do halfway." He reaches across the table, takes my hand. "But I'm also learning to be flexible. To let things unfold naturally."
"Are you?"
"With you, yes." He stands, comes around to my side of the table. "Come here."
I stand, and he pulls me close, swaying gently even though there's no music.
"What are we doing?" I ask.
"Dancing. Or my version of it."
"You don't dance?"
"Not usually. But you make me want to try new things."
We sway together in the candlelight, and it's not graceful or practiced, but it's perfect. He's solid and warm, and I'm safe in his arms.
"Holly," he says quietly. "I need you to know something."
"Okay."
"This isn't temporary for me. This isn't a phase, game, or an experiment. You're it."
My breath catches. "It?"
"The person I want. The person I choose. Every day." He pulls back to look at me. "I know it's fast. I know we're still figuring things out. But I need you to know—I'm in this. Completely."
Tears prick my eyes. "I'm in this too."
"Good." He wipes away a tear with his thumb. "Because I have plans for us."
"What kind of plans?"
"Long-term ones." His mouth curves. "But first, short-term. Like right now."
"What's right now?"
"Right now, I'm going to take you upstairs and show you exactly how happy I am that we made it through today without any issues or complications."
He leads me upstairs, to his bedroom where more candles are burning, the bed turned down, soft music playing from somewhere.
"You really planned this," I breathe. He’d gone through so much trouble just for me. For me. It’s hard to believe.
"I told you. I plan everything." He cups my face. "But with you, I'm also learning to feel everything. To let myself want without holding back."
"Then want me."
His eyes darken. "I’m not sure I could want anyone or anything more than I want you."
He kisses me slow and deep, his hands mapping my body with reverent attention. We undress each other carefully, taking our time, and when we finally come together it feels different from before. More intentional.
This is us choosing each other. Committing to each other. Because we want this. We want each other.
After, we lie tangled in sheets, skin cooling, hearts still racing.
