“It is.”
“Can I open it now?”
“Of course. It’s your present.”
“Awesome.” I pull him back toward a bench so we can set his stuff down. I look over at him with a huge smile on my face as I prepare to rip into the package, but he’s yawning. “Oh, I’m sorry. I can wait to open this. You must be exhausted.”
“I could use a nap, but I want to see you open your present.”
“Okay.” I pull the edges of the bag until it pops open. Then I pull out the tissue paper. There, in the bottom of the bag is a stuffed bear. A bear! My own stuffie.
His cream fur is so soft under my fingers.
I want to take him out and hug him, but maybe that isn’t the best idea. We’re in public, and I don’t want people to judge Little me. That would hurt my feelings.
“Hey, it’s okay.” Leo rubs my back. “You don’t have to take him out of the bag. He can be just for home.”
“No, I want him, but…”
“Listen to me.” I look over at him. “If you want to squeeze your stuffie in public, you go right ahead.”
“But what if people laugh or are mean?” I whisper.
“Then I’ll tell them to fuck a cactus.”
I snort a laugh and decide to man up. Or Little up? I’m not sure, but I really want to hug this bear. So I take him out and rub my face into his soft fur.
Leo lightly chuckles and rubs my back. “Do you like your bear, baby?”
“So soft.”
“He’s the softest one I could find, and I’ve been looking for a while.”
He’s been looking for me? That is so sweet.
“Thank you.” I lean down to kiss him.
“You’re very welcome. What are you going to name him?”
“Hmm.” I rub my chin, and he snickers. “I’ll need some time to think of something.”
“It’s a good thing you didn’t ask me because I would name him something ridiculous like Lord Dickington.”
I laugh so loud I startle the older couple next to me. “Where did you even get a name like that?”
“It just came to me.” He smirks.
“Well, I like it, but I’ll call him Dicky for short.”
“Perfect.” He yawns and then clears his throat. “I’m pretty tired, so I thought maybe we could stop by your house, get some clothes, and then you could drive me to the cabin. And you could stay to meet my family.” He sounds so unsure, and it’s fricking adorable. He’s worried about me meeting his family. “Since you’d already be there, of course.”
I smile. “Yeah, driving while tired is a bad idea.”
“Exactly. I need to be smart and safe.” He looks up at me. “Will you come with me?”
“I’d love to.”
20
