I sigh, defeated. “Fine. I’ll go getit.”
The entire way down to my place, I fight an internal battle. On one hand I want to share my life with him, but on the other this is sopersonal.
The girls are either already gone or still asleep, so I’m able to sneak in and out without having to explain what I’m doing or why my eyes are puffy fromcrying.
I return to his place not feeling any better about sharing this part of me with him. "You can't laugh. Promise?" I state, holding a notebook. Everything in my world is different from when I first made this list. It was more of anifI die versus knowing I will, and sooner than Ithought.
I look at it line by line. Only a few boxes are checked, including the ones I've added since my time withConnor.
I finally hand it over and instantly play nervously with my bottomlip.
"So this," he says, pointing to Brazilian wax. "I fully support. We can get that done superquick."
I hit his arm but smile, thankful he's made a joke aboutthis.
"Seriously though. I'd be honored if I can help you with thelist."
I kiss him. "I'd likethat."
* * *
The next weekendConnor has me packing for colder weather, but he won't tell me where we're going. I know it has something to do with my list, but I never mentioned a particular place, so I don't have a clue what's going on. He says he wants it to be a surprise, and the excitement is killingme.
We meet at his car, and he loads my bag alongside sleeping bags and atent.
He notices me eyeing the camping gear. “I plan on checking off a lot of things tonight." He winks and chills run down my spine. Just the thought of anything with him soundsamazing.
We drive for what seems like hours and when I notice we’re heading toward Lake Tahoe a bit of excitement comes over me. "Are we going camping inTahoe?"
His face says it all, and I reach over to grab his hand. Sleeping under the stars is something on my list, and being at such a high elevation in Tahoe means they will beamazing.
We don't make it completely into South Lake Tahoe, instead he turns off on Highway89.
"What's out here?" Iask.
"The most remote place you'll ever go. You'll truly feel like you're the only person on earth. Well, I guess we will, considering we’ll be together." He brings my hand up to his lips to kiss theback.
We pull off on a back road, and after a few very bumpy minutes, he turns into what looks like a makeshiftcampsite.
"You want me to sleep here?" I askteasingly.
"Don't worry, I'll make it fit for aqueen."
Sleeping under the stars is on my list, but I envisioned it in my backyard, not in the middle of the forest, with no one elsearound.
He looks so cute in his designer jeans, scoping out the best place for us to set up our tent. I know he used to come here a lot, but that was always in the winter when it snowed. A Boy Scout he is not, and I'm glad I'm alone when I chuckle at the thought of him setting upcamp.
I'm slightly scared of his plan for tonight, but that's what this whole list is about. I did it to force me to try new things and camping, in the middle of nowhere, is definitely something new tome.
Within minutes he's got a spot picked out, and he's walking back to thecar.
"Don't be scared," he teases, drawing out the word scared. "I know what I'm doing. I've done this manytimes."
"You have?" I get out of thecar.
He gives me a sillylook.
I hold up my hands in truce. “Hey, sorry I questioned you. But you do know how long I’ve known you for,right?”
