“Make a wish.”
I shot him an impish smile. There was only one thing I wanted for my birthday. Him.
I wish to lose my virginity to the man I love tonight.
I leaned in and blew out the candles with all my might. I got them all.
“Happy Birthday.”
“Thank you.”
He sat down next to me, and reached into the small drawer in the side table, just like he had on my sixteenth birthday. He emerged with a small velvet box, just like he had then.
My heart swelled as he handed it to me. I didn’t waste a second. I popped it open and I stopped breathing for a good second when I saw the pretty ring; silver with an amethyst birthstone. It matched my heart necklace perfectly.
I was mesmerized. “Wow. This must have cost you a small fortune.”
“It was worth every penny,” he said. “The expression on your face right now is worth every cent I spent.”
I pulled the ring out of its cozy bed and studied it further. “Can you put it on me?”
He smiled and took it from me. “I hope it fits. I was guessing on size.” He kneeled at my feet, and I gave him my left hand. His shy smile was the most beautiful sight. He slowly slipped it on my ring finger.
“So are we engaged now?” I teased.
He grinned. “Think of it as a promise.”
I smiled. I liked the idea of that.
The ring fit perfectly. As I studied my hand, newly adorned, I reached for my heart pendant. I’m never taking these off, I promised myself.
Eighteen years later, I’ve held my promise. I still wear my heart on my chest, and my ring on my ring finger. The ring temporarily lived on my right hand when I was engaged and married to Daniel, but as soon as we separated, I returned it to its rightful place. Gavin was my first love, my one true love. And I still think of him that way.
I leaned into him and kissed him, a sweet tender kiss.
“I love you, Abigail,” he whispered. “You’re so much more than a friend.”
I sat motionless for a long beat, speechless.
He smiled. “I’m sorry if I shouldn’t love you this way, but I do. I can’t help myself.”
My eyes welled. “No… your love mean everything to me. You have no idea. I knew I felt… I didn’t know you…” I babbled, too excited to form a coherent sentence. “I love you too, Gavin. With all my heart.”
He took me in his arms, and I melted into him. I never wanted to be anywhere else again but in his arms. I made a decision on the spot. I wouldn’t go away for college. I would stay by his side. I couldn’t imagine living my life any other way.
He softly broke our embrace. “I’ve got one last gift for you,” he said. “You want to eat some cake first?”
“Hell, no.” The last thing I wanted to do was eat.
He smiled playfully. He knew exactly what I was thinking. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
“I can’t wait to see.”
“I’ll show you as soon as I put this away.” He grabbed my birthday cake and hid it in the refrigerator, away from Magnum. “Come with me.”
I rose, eager to see. He took my hand and led me to the back of his trailer, to his bedroom. My heart hammered as he slowly opened the door. My breath hitched as soon as I saw the lit candles on his dresser, the rose petals on the bed, and the pretty white babydoll teddy on the pillow. Soft music was playing on his CD player.
This was really happening. I was both aroused and scared to death. I still wasn’t sure I was ready, but I knew I was in good hands.
