“What are you doing here so early? Did you come for a coffee order?”
“Nope, I text Ry and asked if you can leave early. Both Lucas and I are done working for the day so I figured why not pick you up now. What do you say Sky? Ready for your next adventure?”
He's holding out his hand to me with a smile on his face. I turn to the girls, who are both nodding their heads, telling me to go. “Ya I’m ready Damon. Let me just get my bag and I'll be out in a minute.” Running to the back, I grab my bag from the office. Walking out front, I say bye to the girls and Ry speaks up first.
“Okay, so I want details of how your day goes. Wait, we should totally make a group chat because I want details of Isabella's day with Victor as well. But what should we call it?” She's tapping her chin like she's thinking and before any of us can say anything she shouts, “Oh, I know, how about Beauties and the beans? No, you're right, not that one. I've got it! Lady Beans! Yes, Lady Beans it is. Okay, go have fun. I’ll talk to you later.”
I watch as she walks in the back with her phone out, no doubt setting that up. I look at Faith with my eyes bugging out. She's just shaking her head at me.
“It's just easier if you just go with it. You'll get used to it. Go, I'll see you later. Don't do anything I wouldn't do.”
She shouts out as we walk out the door. Damon throws his arm around my shoulder, steering me towards his bike. On the seat are a leather jack and another helmet. He picks it up and holds it out, turning around. I place my hands inside and it's a perfect fit. I turn around to face him I ask. “How do I look?” He grabs me by my hips and pulls me flush against him. Dipping his head down, he kisses me like a man possessed, making my toes curl.“Fucking perfect.” He says as he pulls back. “Here. Let me put the helmet on you then we can get going.” He places it on my head and makes sure it's secure. Picking me up, he places me on the bike and shows me where to place my feet. He gets on in front of me, reaches back and grabs me by the ass so he can slide me forward until there's no space between us. “Wrap your arms around me and hold on tight.” I do as I’m told and wrap my arms around him so tight, probably tighter than he meant. He backs the bike out of the parking lot, and goes to the end of the driveway and turns right. He keeps speeding up, making me squeal. Opening my eyes, I watch the town pass by. Ry was right. Being on the back of a bike is freeing. Loosening my tight grip on his shirt, I just enjoy the ride at this moment. I don't even care where we go as long as I'm with Damon because that's all that matters to me. Damon slows and turns down a side road. Not recognizing the area but there's no mistaking that sound that I hear, even over the roar of the bike. The sound of crashing waves gets closer and closer. He slows down and pulls over, shutting the bike off. Whipping my helmet off, I take in the sight before me. I can't believe he brought me to the beach. I know it's too cold to swim but just being here knowing I'm yet again marking something off my bucket list makes me so happy and it's because of this man sitting in front of me. He climbs off and helps me off, placing our helmets on the seat. Turning to me, he says,
“So what do you think of a picnic on the beach? I know it's too cold to swim right now but I figured we would knock one more item off your bucket list. And when it’s nicer out, we can come back and go for a swim.”
“I love it Damon, thank you it’s perfect.” All I want to do right now is run in the sand and touch the water.
“Go on then, I know what you're dying to do.” I give him a quick kiss and take off running towards the water almost falling over in my excitement. I can see the waves crashing against the rocks. It paints such a beautiful picture. Taking out my phone, I snap a couple of pictures so I can always have them. Reaching the shoreline, I bend down and put my hand in the freezing cold water, moving it back and forth. When I was little I always dreamed I was a mermaid. I was a long-lost princess just waiting for her real family to come and get me. When I begged my parents to take me to the beach, they actually said yes for once. Until it came time to leave the next day. I found them both passed out drunk instantly crushing my dream. I knew from then on never to hope for anything from them. Standing up, I turn and see Damon sitting down on a blanket with a spread of food around him. Walking over, I sit down next to him and notice he’s got all my favorites. “You're spoiling me Damon.” He bends his head and gives me a kiss.
“Not nearly enough Sky. But you just wait, the best is yet to come. Now a little birdie told me my girl hasn’t eaten yet today so I went and picked up all your favorites.”
“I am hungry, thank you.” No words are spoken after that. We both dig in until there’s nothing left. Gathering up the garbage, I look around for a bin to throw it in. Spotting one down the beach I get up and walk over to it. Throwing our trash away, I turn around and start to walk back but stop dead in my tracks. Damon is down on one knee on the blanket with a black velvet box in his hand. Looking from the box back to Damon, he has a smile on his face. “Come here Skylar.”
I walk slowly to him because none of this seems real to me. He grabs my hand in his and starts talking.
“Skylar from the very first moment I met you I knew you were meant to be mine. My soul lit up and finally found its forever. I promise you you’ll never walk alone again sweetheart. No one will work harder to make you happy or cherish you more than me. Will you marry me, Skylar?”
Tears are streaming down my face. I never expected this tonight. Damon slips the beautiful ring on my finger. Gold with diamonds surrounding it. Dropping to my knees. I throw my arms around him and scream out, “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
“I love you Sky.”
“I love you too Damon so much.”
He gently wipes the tears running down my face. “Come on sweetheart let’s get you home so I can make love to you with only that ring on your finger.”
By the time we made it home, we were barely in the door before Damon pounced on me. We never did make it to the bed the first few times but he more than made up for that night. Right before I fell asleep Damon informed me we have less than a month to plan a wedding because he wants it to happen right away. That night, I dreamt of a wedding with my closest friends and the man I love. The moment we say our dos and I become Skylar Bellante will be the greatest adventure.
Skylar
I’m sitting in the kitchen sipping my coffee before work and hear my phone going off. Grabbing it off the counter, I can't help but smile when I see who it is.
Ladie Beans group chat:
Rhylie: Sooo, did anything exciting happen last night with anyone?
Faith: Are we really using this name? (Rolling my eyes)
Rhylie: Shut it. I didn’t see you coming up with one.
Faith: That’s because your crazy ass walked away before we could.
Rhylie: So anyway, Skylar, Isabella, anything to add?
Isabella: No nothing to add.
Faith: Try again! ( squinting eyes)
Isabella: Fine, I went to the zoo with Katya and Victor yesterday and we had a nice time. When I’m not working, I’ll be watching Katya. She's such a precious little girl.
