No man had ever done that for me. Purposefully putting themselves in potential danger to protect me. He smiled down at me as we walked through the busy streets, dodging overeager tourists. I chuckled to myself when I realized I’d now considered myself a local, one of many changes that had happened quickly since I’d gotten to San Diego.
When his hand grazed mine as he stepped out of the way of a man running down the street, I took it and laced my fingers through his. I heard his breath catch as he peered down at me, looking at our hands, then at my face. That infamous wide smile let me know he was pleased.
“Did you have lunch yet?” I asked as we crossed the street.
“No, but I have a meeting at one, so I left a sandwich that I’ll eat at my desk. I wish I could’ve eaten with you,” he said, frowning.
I waved my hand. “That’s okay. I’ll grab something at the cottage. Grammy gets discharged today, right?”
Mike opened the door for me to step into the office building, the cold air making me shiver after walking in the sun. “Yes, I’ll go there right after work to pick her up. We were hoping for yesterday, but the doctor was being overly cautious after a rough night of sleep that had her pressure up slightly. She will be glad to go home today and see her friends, I’m sure.”
We followed the signs and walked into the clerk’s office, where Mike gave them our information. Less than an hour later, we had the license and were back outside.
“That was pretty easy,” I said, grateful that I’d had all the right documentation they’d needed.
“Yeah, it was, thankfully. The immigration process will be much harder, but I’ll take this easy win.” He looked at his phone and pressed a button. “I’ve ordered you an Uber to take you back to the cottage, and they’re a few minutes away.”
“Thank you, but I could’ve done that,” I said, looking up at him as he smirked.
“You know, you’re going to have to start letting me take care of you sometimes, right?”
Huffing out a laugh, I answered, “I’m not sure how to do that. Yet.”
Mike smiled and said, “I like that word. Also, I was thinking about something. What do you think of us writing our own vows?”
A car pulled up, and Mike confirmed my name as I watched my fiancé in awe. “Oh, wow. Yes, I love that idea. It will make it so much more special.”
He bent down to kiss my cheek before opening the door for me. “Good, I’m glad you like it. Not much longer, and we won’t have to say goodbye at the end of the day, fiancé.”
His words made me shiver, and I nodded. “Yes, soon.”
I waved as the car drove away, putting my hand over my cheek where he’d kissed me, the feeling making me warm all over.
Two weeks later,Mike and I waited at baggage claim for my parents to arrive. He had been nervous about it all week, no matter what I said to try to ease his tension.
“Do I look okay? I mean, are they used to dressing up every day? I heard Italians are way more stylish than the rest of us,” he said, looking down at his black pants and light blue button-up shirt.
“You look great. Mama and Papa are simple business owners, so they don’t wear gowns and tuxes on the regular,” I teased, hoping to make him laugh.
He smiled and exhaled loudly. “Sorry, I just want them to like me. I’m starting off with several points against me, so I have a deficit to overcome. Especially since I coerced their only daughter into marrying me.”
I straightened his collar, my hands resting on his chest when I was done. “Oh, they’ll never let you forget the coercion part, but they’ll warm up to you. Eventually,” I said with a smirk. “But I dowant them to know the real Mike. Shorts, T-shirts. I like the real Mike.”
He wrapped his long arms around me and pulled me a little closer, his bravado showing as we chuckled. “Doyou now? You like my casual look? Sand in my truck, mussed up hair and all?” When he bent down to look at me, I could feel the warmth from his large frame and something loosened in my chest.
“The faint smell of pine, a little salty air, mixed with your musky cologne,” I said quietly, my words making his eyebrows raise and his smile brighten.
“Oh, so you like the way I smell. I’m pretty sure that’s the second time you’ve told me that, Ms. Valenti. Good to know,” Mike said, his voice low and rough.
My eyes scanned his perfectly styled hair, a wicked grin on my face.
“Renata,” he warned slowly as my hands went up. “What are you doing?”
I jumped on my tiptoes to reach my hands into his perfectly gelled hair and ran my fingers through it, making him growl. I couldn’t tell if it was from pleasure or frustration, but the sound reverberated through me.
“So that’s how it’s going to be, huh?” he asked, tickling my waist, making me scream and try to twist out of his hold. We were making a scene, but I didn’t care. I loved being held by him, his presence making me feel safe and free to be myself. I’d worked so hard for so long, without rest or fun, that I’d forgotten what it was like to laugh with abandon like this, especially with a man. It was in moments like this that I could feel my fears melt away, at least for a little while.
We were still twisting and laughing when someone cleared their throat, making us stop suddenly. Mike’s hair was sticking up like he’d stuck his hands in a socket, and my clothes weretwisted. I turned to see my parents standing next to us, my mother glaring, my father holding back a smile.
