Page 101 of You Saw the Best In Me

“Did you always want to be a cosmetologist?” I ask between bites, keeping our conversation flowing.

“No, absolutely not. It was easy to learn and get certified. Something to fall back on because I was always running, and salons are everywhere,” she answers, and my heart pangs with sadness.

I hate when she talks about her life before us. It’s the last thing she deserved. She spent her twenties running away and constantly having to start over.

“I lucked out with construction, but I wanted to be a gym teacher when I was growing up. I loved sports and played until mom got sick,” I confess, knowing the only person who ever knew that was my mother.

Karina picks up on that and takes my hand across the table.

“You’d be an amazing teacher, Mav. Especially with how much you know about sports,” she smiles softly, squeezing my hand.

“Maybe one day, I’ll coach our kids’ little league team,” I joke, her cheeks flush.

“I will absolutely hold you to that,” she says, and I know she will.

The waitress asks if we want dessert, and I decide to take a slice of chocolate cake home for Harper.

Once I take care of the bill, I drive us to the other side of town near the river.

We get out and walk, the sun slowly setting beyond the horizon.

“I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher,” she says quietly, and I almost miss it.

“Really? How come?” I ask, interested in what made her choose to teach.

“I’ve always loved kids. In high school, we had this class where we took care of toddlers every class, and it was so much fun. We did crafts, read stories, and took them to the playground. I took the class all four years, even though it was an elective. I was passionate about it,” she finishes, and I’m not surprised.

Her heart is so big, and she’s so patient. She’d make the perfect kindergarten teacher.

“We’d be the teachers in school who were married, and it’d gross all the kids out,” I laugh, and so does she.

“First, we’re having kids, and now we're married? You’ve got quite the fantasy rolling around up there, Angel,” she smacks me on the arm, and I pull her into me.

“It’s not a fantasy, kitten,” I whisper, kissing her cheeks before placing my lips on hers.

It’s light and fluffy. Perfect for a first date.

“You kiss on the first date? I wonder if I can get up to your bed, too,” I tease, and she pushes me off her.

“In your dreams, broody,” she says, walking faster to escape me.

I chase her down, and we collapse onto a bench close by.

“I love you, my beautiful girl,” I hold her tightly, admiring every inch of her.

She snuggles under my arm and rests her head on my shoulder.

“I love you more than anything, Mav,” she says, closing her eyes and enjoying the sound of the river.

The air turns chilly, and we decide to call it a night. I help her into her seat, and she catches me by the shirt before I can close the door.

“I think you’ve earned a spot in my bed,” she winks, and my pulse races.

This was admittedly my first date ever, and it was absolute perfection. I plan to do this more often because nothing feels better than spoiling the girl of your dreams.

I keep my hand on her leg the whole ride. I started doing this to settle her nerves or reassure her that I was right by her side, but now I realize I do it for me, too.

Her touch keeps me focused and makes me feel connected to her.