Page 82 of Lodged

“Oh, I love surprises,” she says as she removes the top of the box, only to be greeted with a lick on her face. I got her a Siberian husky.

“Oh my goodness, Gio. How long did you have this handsome boy here waiting?” She pouts as she helps the dog out of the box and immediately hugs him.

“Not long at all. Someone delivered him when we were minutes away.” Her eyes mist over, and she happily hugs the dogas he peppers her with kisses. Now that I think about it, maybe it wasn’t my brightest idea to get her a dog the first night we’d be spending alone since the holidays.

“How did you know I love huskies?” she asks as she sits back next to me, the dog following her obediently.

“A little bird might have told me,” I confess, and she stares at me.

“What? I wanted to make sure I wasn’t going to screw it up, so I asked your siblings.” I raise my hands, and she sighs.

“See? You’re the best.” She straddles me and my hands slide to the small of her back. When she leans down to kiss me, the dog starts nudging my hands off Ruin with its nose. Ruin looks around, giggling, just as I let out a groan.

“I’ll name him Cobalt. I have a plush animal, and it’s also a husky. I don’t know who gave it to me or why I have it, but I hold it close to me every night when I go to bed. For some reason, it makes me feel at peace.” My throat clogs with emotion. Even though we were apart and she doesn’t remember our time together, I feel, in a way, like I’ve been with her all this time, giving her comfort through Cobalt.

“I think I need to get on with prepping dinner before it gets too dark,” I say as I kiss her.

“Sounds good,” she says, grabbing her can and heading outside the van with Cobalt. “I’m going to walk with Cobalt for a few minutes. Is that okay, or do you want me to rest?” She glances up at me through her eyelashes, and I chuckle.

“You know me well. I’d like for you to rest, but I know you want to take care of Cobalt, so maybe after your walk, you and him can lie down for a bit?” She nods, and after a quick kiss, I get to work washing my hands.

I grab the steak from the mini fridge I had Penny order for us— skirt steak marinated in chimichurri sauce. I also prepare two huge potatoes to bake on the grill. After setting up the portablegrill outside the van, I get it going and place the steaks and potatoes on it. Once everything is cooking, I prepare a quick salad and leave it in the fridge.

“Do you want some water? Or maybe tea?” I ask Ruin as she returns to the van with a happy Cobalt. Maybe he did need to pee or something.

“I’d love some tea, it’s starting to cool down.” I smile and nod as I get warm water for her tea.

“I didn’t realize you liked reading romance,” she says as she waves a book. I have no idea where it came from.

“I don’t. I mean, I have nothing against it, but that book isn’t mine.”

“Hmm, funny. I wonder how it got here?” Ruin asks, and an idea forms in my head. Penny is an amazing friend, but she can be a little too in your face when she wants something to happen.

“I’ll be right back; I’m going to check on the steaks,” I tell her as I pass her the cup of tea, and she smiles appreciatively.

Once I plate dinner, I take out a bottle of wine, and Ruin claps excitedly. I love how excited she is about the little things. “Oh, this is the wine I loved back at the winery we went to,” she says when she sees the label, and I kiss the top of her head. “Thank you, Gio. Somehow, each date with you is better than the last.”

“Let’s make a toast,” I say as I sit across from her on the small table. She raises her glass, and her eyes shine bright with anticipation.

“To a lifetime of dates, each better than the last.” Her grin is wide as we click our glasses. She takes a sip of the wine and closes her eyes as she lets the flavor invade her senses.

“Perfect ending to a perfect day. Thank you so much again, Gio. I know I sound like a broken record, but I’m so thankful for you and everything I get to experience with you.” I lean in and give her a soft kiss, not being able to form words to tell hereverything I have on my chest. Cobalt enjoys his dinner, as well, and once he’s done, he comes to sit quietly next to Ruin.

After dinner, I clean up and tie the trash securely in the kitchenette. Then I set up the portable potty outside the van, and Ruin’s sigh of relief makes me chuckle.

“As much as I enjoy camping, I was starting to think that we needed to head back to use the restroom. I don’t want to do my business in the bushes when it’s dark.” She turns an adorable shade of pink after her comment and makes a quick exit from the van. I shake my head in amusement.

We lie down on the bed, the moonroof giving us a perfect view of the clear sky studded with bright stars.

“This is so peaceful. I love it here,” Ruin says, rubbing small circles on my chest.

“Maybe this is something we can do in my three seasons porch at home?”

“I love the idea,” she says as she lowers her hand down my chest and starts toying with the band of my boxers.

“Sweetheart, you know where I stand on the matter.” I chuckle at my lame joke about being hard all the time when she’s around. “But don’t feel like something has to happen tonight. I’m happy as I can be just holding you tight all night.” I pull her closer to me and inhale deeply as she releases a breath.

“I don’t want you to think I don’t want to be with you, but I’d like to wait a little longer to go all the way. Do you know what I mean?” she asks quietly, and I help her settle on top of me.

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