Page 146 of All of Me

“Yes, of course. You and your smut books need the perfect environment to suit your mood.”

“It’s not smut, it’s cliterature!” she exclaims, a little too loudly. An older couple rounds the corner by the bibles, looking at us with wide eyes as my wife immediately clamps her hand over her mouth, completely mortified.

“You’ve got this, babe.” I assure her after the couple has scampered off. “Oh my gosh! You could totally put up curtains and put up a big ‘adults only’ sign before people enter that part of the store. Like they used to do at Family Video before it closed down!”

“It’s not porn, babe!” she slaps her hand against my chest and shakes her head.

“Yeah, yeah. I know. It’s cliterature, but either way, you don’t want kids in there and trying to buy books they have no business looking at just because it has an illustrated cover,” I explain, letting her go so she can browse the books for a little bit longer.

“People are going to think I have a hidden sex club back there or something,” she laughs, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

I smirk, leaning in slightly. “Now there’s an idea.”

Her finger snaps up, pointing at me in mock warning. “Don’t even think about it.”

“Too late,” I say, shrugging innocently, my grin widening.

She groans, shaking her head. “I can’t take you anywhere.”

“And yet, you keep me around,” I tease. “Must be love.”

“Obviously,” she fires back, her tone dripping with sarcasm, though the small smile on her lips gives her away. “Now, let’s get out of here before I spend all your money.”

“Our money,” I correct, gently taking her hand and lacing my fingers with hers. “And honestly, if it makes you smile like that, spend away.”

She glances at me, her expression softening. “Careful, Mr. Klein. Keep talking like that, and we aren’t going to make it to dinner. You’ll have to take me home.”

“I think you’re the one that needs to be careful now,” I say, lowering my voice and giving her a teasing smirk. “Don’t threaten me with a good time. I already had you in bed once today—might have to make it twice.”

We do, in fact, make it to dinner but only after I assure her that I have plans for her when we get home. Her cheeks are flushed after fooling around in the car on the way here. She fixes her lipstick before I get out and walk around to open her car door for her.

“Always the gentleman,” she says playfully as she steps out of the vehicle.

The cozy elegance of Magnolia’s wraps around us like a warm hug. We’ve been coming here for years now after discovering the restaurant on our third wedding anniversary. Callie also surprised me with a party here as well to celebrate my fortieth birthday a few years ago. She really shocked me with it too, because I thought for sure my surprise was her arranging for my best friend from middle school and his wife to fly up to see me. We’ve never had a bad time at Magnolia’s and the owner, Lisa, always gives us free dessert–the perks of her having a catering business on the side.

The soft glow of the candlelight on the table, the hum of quiet conversation around us, and the tantalizing aromas wafting in from the kitchen make it impossible not to feel special here. Once we are settled at the table, I marvel again at just how beautiful Callie is. Her black dress highlights her every curve, her hair pinned up in a way that makes her neck look delectable. She’s swirling water absentmindedly in her glass, a small smile playing on her lips as she studies the menu, trying to decide on something new. That’s always been our thing here, we never order the same thing twice.

We enjoy our food and as the server clears our plates, Callie reaches for her purse. “Okay, it’s gift time,” she announces, her voice carrying a playful excitement that makes her dimples pop.

I raise a brow, pretending to be surprised as if we don’t always do gifts after dessert every year. “Oh, we’re doing the gifts now?”

“No, I’m doing the gift now. You just spent more money than I care to recall on me in the romance section at Target. So you better not have a gift for me,” she insists, pulling a small, rectangular box wrapped in red paper from her bag. “Here! Open it!”

I take the box, feeling the weight of it in my hands. Callie’s watching me intently, her eyes bright with anticipation. I peel back the paper and lift the lid. Inside is a sleek, wooden watch with brass accents. It’s one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen.

“Flip it over!” she says excitedly.

I turn it over, and the words on the back take my breath away:

But for those who love, time is eternal.

“Callie…” My words catch in my throat as I choke back tears. “This is incredible.”

She smiles, her eyes glistening. “You’re always saying time flies when you’re with me. I thought you could use something to help you keep track of it.”

I laugh softly, slipping the watch onto my right wrist. “It’s perfect, Dollface. Thank you so much.”

“My turn,” I say. I pull a small velvet box from my jacket pocket and slide it across the table. “I hope you like it.”

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