Hunter was my sanctuary.
I never feared him judging me. He indulged my chatty, clingy self like it was the highest of honours. And I loved him even more for that.
One day, we were hanging out at my place, sitting before the coffee table in my living room with snacks surrounding us as we worked on our respective hobbies. Hunter had coloured a total of one mandala before Luna came over and demanded her daddy’s attention. I continued with my diamond painting activity until I got the brilliant idea of using my colourful rhinestones to bedazzle my current romance book’s cover.
In the middle of sticking a golden rhinestone, I hedged, “Hunter?”
“Yes, doll?”
“If you could read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?”
He pondered over my question, while dangling a cat toy in the air for Luna. She leapt up excitedly, pawing at it with a meow. “Does a picture book count?”
I shrugged. “Sure.”
He grabbed Luna and she snuggled up to him, purring. Tonight, a black bandana was tied over the top half of his head, keeping his hair away from his face. He looked incredibly hot and I barely managed to keepmypaws off him.
“In that case, my family album. I’d go through every picture from start to finish, and reread all the anecdotes my parents scrawled behind each memory.”
Oh, that was so sweet. “That’s lovely, Hunt.”
“I’ll show it to you when you come over.” He winked. “You know, when you meet my mom and sister.”
I was glad that we were both at that stage in our relationship where we wanted each other to meet our family members. Some may say it was too soon, but it felt right for us.
“Can’t wait.” Another rhinestone went on my book cover with meticulous precision. “Next question: if you could listen to one melody for the rest of your life, what would it be?”
“Your voice.”
My eyes widened and my heartbeat pounded. “Eat one meal only?”
“Anything you cook for me.”
I swooned and drew my finger over the faded scar, barely visible, on the bridge of his nose. He told me a couple nights ago that he got it as a kid, having fallen off his bike. “Revisit any one memory?”
“When I saw you on that moonlit terrace.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Me too.”
“Yeah?” He pressed his forehead to mine. Luna was snuggled between us. “Why is that?”
So I could fall in love with you all over again. “Because until then, I don’t think I’d ever seen a more beautiful man.”
Hunter’s face softened.
He fused his mouth to mine, pouring all his unspoken feelings and emotions into our kiss.
The next day, when I got home from seeing Anna and Layla…Hunter was already there, courtesy of the key I gave him so he could come and go as he pleased too. Candles were lit, music hummed in the background, and my dining table was set with takeout food from my favourite Middle Eastern restaurant.
“Well, this is a surprise.” I took off my coat. “Hi, pretty boy.”
“Hi, baby.” Hunter crossed over to me, Luna resting in his arms. “How was your day?”
“Good.” I kissed him, lingering longer than usual. “How was yours?”
“Good. I actually have another surprise for you.”
“Oh?”
