Kind of mine.
Not officially yet anyway.
My stomach drops when I think about her finding out what I went through to get her. Will she find it endearing? Make her fall more in love with me? Some might find it romantic, but she could go the opposite way. She could feel manipulated. Like I used her. She could question everything I have been working so hard to build.
I push those thoughts from my head. I put us on this road. I need to see it through to the end. Even if I end up heartbroken.
“Maybe we can stop and grab a snack and maybe something to drink? I’m not really dressed for being out in public,” she says as the light turns green.
“Sounds good. There’s this new bakery over on Third. What do you think about stopping there?” I muse.
“Yes. Immediately, yes.”
She reaches over and turns up the radio as I drive. She starts singing along to the song “Ordinary” by Alex Warren. Even though the girl really can’t carry a tune, she sings with her full chest, not giving a fuck if I judge.
I love it.
When the song ends, she turns down the volume as I pull into the parking lot. “Sorry about that. I love that song.”
“No apologies necessary. Sing anytime you want,” I tell her.
“I just love how he wrote it about his wife. The way he looks at her,” she says wistfully as I put the car in park.
I know nothing about the guy, but now I want to look him up just so I can see how he stares at his woman. For scientific reasons, of course.
Smiling, I chuckle as I get out of the car. Before I can completely round the hood, she gets out.
“I was going to open your door for you.” I frown at her.
“I know, I just thought I would save you some time, and steps.”
“I like doing it for you, though.”
The corners of her mouth kick up. “Is this one of those man things we were talking about the other day? Like the sidewalk?”
“Exactly like the sidewalk,” I say as I take her hand.
She shakes her head as we walk into the bakery and wait our turn. We quietly chat until the woman calls us up to order.
“Sorry about the wait. Welcome to Sweet & Sweet. What can I get you today?” the lady behind the counter asks.
“Can I get an iced chai with soy and one of those lemon filled pastries, please?” Lyla asks.
“Sure, what about you?” the lady asks.
“I’ll have a mint tea with honey and one of those chocolate and caramel drizzled donuts, please.”
After the lady takes my money, she gets busy grabbing our treats.
“I’ll bring the drinks over as soon as they are done,” she says as she hands us our bags.
“Thank you,” we say in unison.
“There’s a table over there.” I point behind Lyla.
She turns around, and I follow her to the table and sit down.
“This looks so good. I didn’t realize how hungry I was either,” she says as she pulls it out of the bag.
