Page 64 of In a Pinch

“Holy wow. Look at this view.” She peers out the window, and then turns her head back toward me. “Did you do this on purpose?”

A surge of pride runs through me. “Something like that.”

Her answering smile has me feeling a little proud of my date planning capabilities. I’d probably swim oceans just to get a chance to see her smile like that again. Preferably every day. Yeah. That’s my new life goal: make Addie smile.

I really need to clarify that we’re on the same page tonight. How the fuck do you ask someone to be your girlfriend in your twenties? Do you actually ask, or just bring up that you want exclusivity?

Fuck, now I’m definitely nervous.

Damn, does that mean this is our first real date? Now that I think of it, most of our time together has been spent at each other's apartments. We skipped the normal dating phase and went straight to the cozy phase, which I have no arguments about.

Sure, I’ve dated, but it all felt so surface level. Everything about her just feels like she was always meant to be mine. The more time I spend with her, the more convinced I am of that.

“Have you talked to Theo lately?” she asks once we get seated.

“Not a whole lot since your move. Someone has been keeping me a little occupied.” I wink at her.

“Sorry, not sorry. I think he and Regina hit it off. She said they’ve already gone on, like, three dates. Looks like we can label ourselves as matchmakers now.” She faux brushes off her shoulder.

“No shit?” The asshole hasn’t said anything to me. Then again, I haven’t been by for my weekly Monday brews, and we’re not the texting and calling types.

“Yeah, I think they’re cute. I thought I saw a little razzle-dazzle between them.” She shakes her shoulders in a shimmy, which I guess is the razzle-dazzle. The motion makes my lips pull up.

“Razzle-dazzle?” What does that even mean?

“Yeah, kind of like sparks, but more fun,” she says, as if annoyed that I didn’t know what the fuck she was talking about. I’m beginning to think she makes up her own phrases and words and has an Addie dictionary somewhere.

“Oh, okay. Razzle-dazzle.” This woman adds more catchphrases to my vocabulary every day. Shaking my head, I pick up the menu and start looking it over.

“We should go on a double date with them.”

“I’m not sure if I can handle anymore of you and Theo teaming up against me.”

“We do not team up against you. We just both pick out where you are wrong. Frequently. Kind of like gently bullying.” She reaches across the table and squeezes my hand with a huge mocking smile. “But in a nice way.” She lets go and grabs the glass of water that was waiting for us, bringing it to her lips.

“Well, I recruit your friend. Then, we can team up against you and you can get a taste of your own medicine.”

She tsks under her breath. “Sorry, girl code strictly prohibits that. She will be on my side until hell freezes over. So, it looks like you’re shit out of luck.”

She continues her gentle berating, and I fire back. It’s my favorite dance. It takes us a few minutes to look through the menu and order our food.

When our food comes, our little nook in the corner is painted in an orange and pink glow from the setting sun. We eat and laugh, and then eat some more. I didn’t even know what I was missing until I found this—a safe place here with her.

“Can we go for a walk by the beach before we head home?” Addie asks.

This was my plan all along. “Was already planning on it, shortcake.” Our beaches are pretty rocky, but there is a perfect, little sandy stretch within walking distance.

Once the bill is paid and we make our way through the restaurant, Addie weaves her soft, warm fingers though mine. Her hand pulls my fingers to her hip, as she throws her arms around my neck, pulling me close. My other hand wraps around her, reveling in the feel.

The sun hits the perfect spot on the horizon. We slip off our shoes and carry them in our hands as we walk hand in hand down the beach.

“Addie, can I ask you a question?” Her hand grips mine a little harder and her brow jumps up. My heartrate spikes, and I try to not lose my nerve. A wise man once told me to either nut up or shut up. Sounded good and funny at the time, but I’m seeing what he meant now.

“Those are scary words, but go right ahead.”

“If I said I wanted you to be only mine, would that freak you out?”

Her face softens, and I sense no hesitation or panic. Stopping, I turn and face her.

---