Page 131 of The Future Play

I laugh and sit down next to her with the tray. “You only want me for the food I bring you.”

She looks at me sweetly. “It’s a nice perk.” Then she combs her fingers through my hair and presses her lips to mine in a raw, emotional kiss. “Happy anniversary, baseball boy.”

I kiss her neck as she pulls away. “Happy anniversary, event queen. Or is it event queen of my heart? I don’t know. That’s your business thing, not a term of endearment.”

She smiles softly as she pulls open the box with her food in it. “No. It’s not. There’s something you call me that I much prefer.”

“Oh. What’s that?”

She looks at me and drags her finger down my chest. “I love when you call me your girl. It makes me feel adored.”

“My girl gets what she wants.”

She bumps her elbow against mine, smiling happily as she digs into her breakfast sandwich. Sometimes I forget all she cares about are the simple things—like knowing she’s loved—and I need to do a better job of showing her that.

“Can I come out now?”Amanda calls from the bedroom.

“One second!” I grab the last two boxes and chuck them inthe garbage, then run to the refrigerator and pull out the sushi. “Okay, more like a minute.”

Her laugh bounces around the apartment.

I sent her for a nap and a bath an hour ago, thinking that would give me enough time to get this all together, but I’m cutting it close.

After breakfast, we ended up leaving the house and going for a walk—Amanda’s idea—then we came back and watched a movie before making lunch. Amanda found a recipe for sheet pan nachos because she wanted to spoil me as much as I spoil her. They were delicious, and once the off-season hits and I have more time to cook, I’ll be making them all the time.

Once I have all the sushi set out on a tray, I carry it to the living room and set it in place on the ottoman, then I walk toward the bedroom, switching off lights as I go.

When I get there, Amanda is breathtaking in a white silky slip dress that hugs every gorgeous curve of her voluptuous body.

“Fuck,” I hiss as I take her in.

That wicked smile shines on her face. “You look good too.”

At her request, I’m in dark blue athletic boxers and a tight black tee.

Then she grazes her hand over my semi before kissing my neck and looking down the hall.

“What surprises do you have up your sleeve?”

I loop my arm through hers, guiding her forward. “Come and see.”

When we get to the living room, her breath catches as she stares up at the ceiling where I’ve hung about twenty strands of warm white twinkle lights, both regular and star shaped, creating a cozy, warm ambience that our apartment usually lacks.

“This is beautiful. Thank you.”

I lead her around the couch to the floor, where I have blankets and pillows set up along with our sushi.

“I know we haven’t quite figured out how to make this place a home, but I wanted this to be a warm, comforting space tonight.”

“You pulled it off.”

Grabbing the tray of sushi, I pull it closer, then pick up one of the pieces of spicy crab roll and hold it out to her. She nibbles at it before using her tongue to tug it into her mouth.

“The first time we ever hung out, you told me you were a slut for spicy crab sushi. Well, I’m a slut for watching you eat it.”

She laughs at that. “Now I know why you get me sushi so much.”

I press a kiss to her cheek. “Because it makes you happy, and I love seeing you happy.”

---