“You mean the summer before I left for college?”
“Yeah,” I say with a smile.
“I was. I know I shouldn’t have, but I was. If not for that call, I would have.”
“Do you regret the time we lost?”
The car falls silent. I bite my lip, wondering if this is when he’ll shutdown on me. He gives my thigh a gentle squeeze.
“Every day, but living in my regrets only robs us of our now. Can I ask you something?”
“Yes.”
“Are you happy now?”
“Yes, very.”
“Good. Do you think we’re moving forward?”
“It feels like it. Aaron loves having you around.”
“I’ll always be here for my son, but I don’t want you to take that as an obligation to have to stay with me.”
I sit and think his words over. Do I think I have to stay with him for my son? No, I want Aaron to have his father in his life, but I don’t need to have Bentley in my life for that to happen.
“I don’t feel obligated. Yes, I want Aaron to have a whole family. However, I don’t want him to grow up in a family that’s broken from within.
“I feel like we’re in a good place. We’re already moving forward. I believe if we continue on this path, we’ll get to what we’ve always wanted,” I reply.
“Then I’m right where I’m supposed to be, Zahirah. Not a step out of place. This is our fresh start.”
I smile and settle in my seat. That was a great answer. I feel the same way.
We fall into a light banter for the rest of the ride. When we pull up to the Japanese Friendship Garden, I get excited. I’ve heard so much about this place, but I’ve never been. Bentley asked if I had and when I said no, he got to planning.
I can’t wait to see what all he has planned. It’s early evening. The sun hasn’t set yet, but it will soon.
Bentley takes my hand and leads me inside. Once we are walking in the garden, it oddly seems like not many others arearound. I look up at Bentley curiously, but he only smiles back at me.
I shrug it off and go with the flow. The place is so tranquil and romantic. The sound of the flowing ponds and Bentley’s rumbling voice brings a sense of ease and peace.
“I have something for you,” he murmurs in the middle of our conversation when we come to a little area with rocks that look like we can perch on the edge of them.
I take a seat, and he sits beside me. I look at him expectantly, wondering what he’s up to. He pulls a gift-wrapped box from his pocket and places it into my hand.
“What’s this?”
“Open it. I want to see the surprise on your face,” he replies.
“Okay, let’s see,” I sing.
Tearing the paper away excitedly, I hold my breath with anticipation. I reveal a jewelry box and open the lid. I tear up as I find a new charm for my necklace. It’s a tiny baby shoe with Aaron’s birthstone in it.
“Oh, wow. This is adorable,” I coo.
“I thought it was fitting for your next charm. Although I might need to get you a matching bracelet for all the charms you’ll need for those six kids you promised me,” he says while clearly trying to stifle a laugh.
“Bullshit,” I gasp out, causing him to lose his battle with his laughter.
