Page 21 of Fight for You

After much deliberation, I finally relent, slipping into the black dress.

Candace beams. “You look stunning. Leo won’t know what hit him when he sees you in that!”

With Candace's seal of approval, I ready myself for the evening ahead. Leo's cooking skills are legendary, and I am both excited and nervous to experience his culinary creations firsthand again.

As I apply a soft rose blush to my cheeks and a touch of shimmering eyeshadow to my lids, anticipation rising for the expectations tonight. Leo has a way of making even the simplest meal like an extravagant feast, and tonight will be no exception. A pair of silver chandelier earrings catch my eye, their intricate design adding a touch of glamor. I fasten them into place, letting them dangle delicately against my neck as I admire them. Leo had gotten these for me eight years ago for my birthday and tonight is the perfect night to show them off again.

“Alright, that’s my cue to leave. I’ll call tomorrow to see how it went. Love ya!”

With one final glance in the mirror, I grab my purse and head out the door, knowing that whatever the evening holds, I am ready to embrace it with an open heart.

When I finally saunter to his doorstep, Leo greets me with a warm smile that makes my heart flutter. The scent of something delicious wafts from the kitchen, and my stomach rumbles. Leo holds out his hand for me to take a step inside.Oh, was he ever the gentleman. Leo’s warm smile appears as he takes in my appearance. His gaze lingers on me for a moment, a look of admiration shining in his eyes.

“You look absolutely beautiful.”

“Thank you.” A blush creeps up my cheeks.

“Shall we?”

As I loop my arm through his, a surge of comfort washes over me. Leo's touch is familiar yet electrifying, and a sense of ease settles in as we make our way to the dining room. The table is set with a bouquet of fresh flowers serving as the centerpiece. He is sure to pull out all the stops to make this a special night.

Leo pulls out a chair for me, his eyes never leaving mine as I seat myself. With a charming smile, he disappears into the kitchen, returning moments later with a bottle of wine cradled in his arms. He expertly uncorks it, filling our glasses with a deep red liquid.

As we clink our glasses together in a silent toast, memories of our past dates flood my mind. But tonight is different - there is an unspoken energy buzzing between us, a current of possibility that crackles in the air. We are starting over.

He leaves and returns with two plates and sits them down. A beautifully plated salad that looks almost too exquisite to eat. Each bite is a burst of flavor - crisp greens, tangy vinaigrette, creamy goat cheese. Leo watches me with a small smile playing on his lips, clearly pleased by my reaction.

“Don’t get too full, we have the actual food coming too. I have a feeling you are going to love it.”

As I look into his eyes, the realization of how lucky I am sinking in. Some women want a man that will providethem money, afford them certain luxuries, especially in all the romance novels I’ve read, but honestly this right here spoke volumes to a person’s love for another. Everyone has their different love language, and this is mine. I didn’t need anything fancy, jewelry or vacations, just everyday things turned into special nights with the person I love.

Twenty minutes later, after my salad is devoured, Leo emerges from the kitchen with two plates with a colorful array of food that looks like it belongs in a Michelin-starred restaurant. He places them before us, a proud smile on his face as he watches me take in the sight. The aroma of herbs and spices tease my nostrils, making my mouth water. I pick up my fork and take my first bite, savoring the explosion of flavors that dance across my taste buds. Each bite is a culinary masterpiece, a testament to Leo’s skill and passion for cooking. As we eat, conversation flows effortlessly, punctuated by laughter and a kiss here and there.

Something tells me that tonight is going to be etched into my memory for decades to come.

15

Leo

I sit across from her, watching the way her eyes sparkle in the soft light and how her smile lights up even the darkest corners of my soul. From the moment we met on the playground at five years old, our laughter ringing out like music in the air, she has always held a special place in my heart. Growing up alongside each other, navigating the treacherous waters of adolescence together, and finally finding solace in each other's arms in high school changed my life. It was then that our friendship blossomed into something more. I remembered the nervous butterflies in my stomach when I finally mustered the courage to ask her out, and the sheer elation when she said yes. We navigated the ups and downs of teenage romance together, weathering storms and basking in sunshine, always hand in hand. Even after graduation, when life took us on different paths, Brylee remained a constant presence in my life. She was there for me through heartbreaks and triumphs, through tears and laughter. Brylee had always been my rock, my constant source of strength and support.

And now, as we sit here, I want to make sure she knows just how much she means to me. How every beat of my heart is a testament to her love, how every breath I take is infused with heressence. I reach out to take her hand in mine. “Brylee, I want you to know that from the moment our paths first crossed all those years ago, I knew that you were destined to be a part of my life.”

Her gaze meets mine, a mixture of curiosity and anticipation dancing in those deep, soulful eyes that have always held a piece of my heart. The flickering candlelight seems to shimmer in tandem with the emotions swirling within, highlighting every delicate feature of her face that I have come to know and love so well.

“My love for you has never wavered, never dimmed,” I confess. “I've carried it with me through every trial and triumph, through every moment of joy and sorrow. And I realize now, more than ever, that you are the missing piece of my soul, the one who completes me in a way I never thought possible.”

Her eyes soften, a hint of understanding dawning in their depths as she squeezes my hand, a silent reassurance that she is there with me, sharing this moment as intimately as if we are one soul split in two.

“I have loved you since I was five years old. And as the years have passed, that love has only grown stronger, deeper. You are the melody to my song, the color to my canvas, the light to my darkness.”

Tears shimmer in her eyes. “I have loved you too, more than words can ever convey. You have always been my safe harbor, my guiding star.”

She leans forward and presses her lips against mine, a thousand unspoken promises passing between us in that fleeting moment. We are speaking the same language, vibing on the same wavelength, and today is the start of something truly and utterly life changing.

Brylee’s hands trace a path down my chest, igniting a trail of electric heat. Without breaking eye contact, she leans in once more, her lips parting against mine with a hunger that matchesmy own. Our kiss deepens, a crescendo of passion building between us until it feels like we are teetering on the edge of an abyss, ready to plunge headfirst into the unknown.

I cup her face in my hands, anchoring myself to her as if she is the only solid ground in a world spinning out of control. The heat between us intensifies, a magnetic pull drawing us closer until there is no space left to bridge. Our bodies meld together seamlessly, fitting like two halves of a whole as we seek solace and release in each other’s embrace.

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