"I see you."Not the person her parents wanted her to be.I saw underneath to who she was at her core."I didn't always.I assumed you were a spoiled rich girl who didn't want someone like me."
"You know you're not the bad guy you think you are."
"Oh?"I asked, looking over at her for clarification.
"You have a tight-knit, supportive family.And I'm assuming you had everything you needed growing up.If you wanted to go to college, your parents would have probably helped you in any way they could."
I sighed."You're right about that.I didn't mean to make it sound like I was neglected."
"You didn't.It's just you always said we were so different.I don't think that's true.Or at least, not in the ways that matter.We both love what we do and providing a service to others.For me, that's books and a meeting place, and for you, that's beautiful outdoor spaces."
Did we want the same things out of life?Yeah, we owned businesses, but did she want a relationship and a family?I wasn't brave enough to ask.She might want those things but not with me.There was that insecurity that underwrote everything in my life.
I didn't believe I was good enough for her, whether that was reality or not, and it was something I needed to work out on my own.I just hoped I could do it.Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to be the guy she deserved.
"Thanks for tonight.It really was the perfect day."
"Next time, we'll go during the day and look at the books."We spent more time looking at the architecture and the exhibits.It was a museum in its own right.
"That would be lovely.But you don't have to go with me.I'm sure you have other things you want to do on your Sundays off."
"There's nowhere else I'd rather be than with you.I enjoyed being there too."It had a lot to do with seeing her so happy.
She sighed, and I wondered if that meant she liked my answer.I was just telling her the truth.I wasn't saying what she wanted to hear.I wasn't sophisticated enough for that.I was known for being blunt, and our relationship wasn't any different.
I couldn't be anything but honest with her."Do you mind if we head to my place tonight?I can drive you to work in the morning."
"I don't mind."
My place was a little bigger, but it was also removed from our work.I wanted a break from that.
At home, we got ready for bed.I left out a shirt for her to wear, and she climbed into bed with me.I turned on the TV.We had sex most nights we spent together, but tonight I just wanted to hold her.To let her know that we could do things without always resorting to sex.Not that there was anything wrong with having a healthy physical relationship, but I didn't want her to think that was all I wanted.
When she fell asleep halfway through the movie, I listened to her breathing, wondering how I'd gotten so lucky to meet her.Like Hudson or Ford had said of their relationships, I'd work my whole life to be deserving of her.I just hoped she thought I was worth it.
I'd planned the perfect date, and it wasn't that hard.I tapped into what she liked, did a little research, and there was an event that matched her interests.It was my knowledge about her coupled with a whole lot of luck.Maybe this relationship stuff wasn't as hard as I thought.
The rest of the week was more of the same.I stopped by her place after work, showered, and we cooked together.It was nice, and I loved spending most of my free time with her.Unfortunately, my mother's patience had run out.
Mom: Please invite your girlfriend to family dinner this weekend.
Maverick: That's our only day off.
Mom: I let you have last Sunday.Now we want to meet her.
Maverick: I'll see if she's available.
Mom: Maverick?—
"What's going on?"Belle asked while she was chopping vegetables at her counter on Thursday night.
"I tried to hold her off, but Mom wants us to come to family dinner.I can tell her you're busy, but I can't miss it."
She swiped a strand of hair off her forehead with the back of her hand."It's my day off, and it's not like my family has dinner nights."
"I don't want you to feel like you have to go.My family can be a lot."
She shrugged."She was nice enough to invite me."
