Page 68 of Loving London

“Yes!” I raise my hands in the air in victory. “Folks, we have a winner!”

The two of us laugh hysterically as our pedicurists try to hide their smiles.

I want to always remember this time in my life. I know life is often a struggle. But it’s the difficult stuff that makes the happy parts so sweet, like the cherry on top.

London

“I don’t think everyone is fortunate enough to find magical love, but I’m thanking my lucky stars that we were.”

—London Wright

I’ve just put the final coat of paint on the living room wall when Loïc walks in the door.

“How was it?” I ask excitedly.

Loïc pulls me in for a kiss.

“It was great. They have a really nice VA here. It’s huge. I like the guys in the PTSD group.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful,” I say, relieved.

I want so badly for Loïc to be happy out here in LA, and I know his involvement with the veterans at the VA is a big part of his happiness.

“I told you it’d be fine.” He leans in, sweetly kissing me again.

“I know. I just want everything to be perfect.”

“It will be because we’re together.”

So much has changed in the past month. Loïc moved out to LA to live with me. We moved out of Kate’s apartment and got our own place. Though his house back in Michigan is still technically his, he pretty much gave it to Sarah and Evan. I know Loïc misses Evan like crazy, but he will fly back one weekend a month to see him. He promises me that it’s a great arrangement, and I want to believe him because I want this to work.

“What’s this for?” He touches the space between my eyebrows.

“What?”

“You’re all scrunchy here. What are you worrying about?”

“I just want you to be happy,” I admit out loud.

“I am, London. I promise.”

“Okay.” I nod.

“The room looks great,” he says as he scans my handiwork.

“Yeah, it does, doesn’t it?” I agree.

I never thought I’d see the day when I enjoyed physical labor. Yet the awesome feeling I get from completing a project is pretty amazing.

“We’re going to go shopping with Kate next weekend. You’ll be amazed at the incredible things she finds. She has a gift for it.”

“Cool. How’s everything going with her new roommate?”

“Really great. She really likes her.”

Loïc is looking down at me, smiling.

“What?”

---