Page 14 of Brighton

I had no clue what he had planned but had hopes for the Christmas lights he’d mentioned. Since the moment I met him, Edward had been nothing but real and nice with me and I trusted him. Plus, the thousand mega-watt smile on his face alone got me excited. From the sad look on his face when he realized that his boy had moved out to our pleasant conversation during the first lunch we had at the aquarium, this man had me hooked. Each time we were together he grew happier as did I, but I wasn't sure what the dating boundaries were or if there were any, though I’d soon learn. Too many questions and not enough answers was what I had. I was a lost cause in the game of romance, but Edward was a patient man and in his capable hands, I’d be all right. Even if this turned into nothing more than friendship, I knew Edward would still be a fixture in my life.

I wanted so badly to ask where we were going as we as we exited the restaurant, but I didn't have to wait very long as we soon came to the beautifully lit up arch that led to those lights I'd stared at throughout dinner. I couldn't help it, the giddiness built up inside barreled over and I joyfully clapped my hands. “Is this really where we're going, Edward?”

He smiled, “Yes, sweet boy, we're going to see the Christmas lights. Are you excited?” As though he couldn’t tell.

“Ridiculously.” I was all teeth, grinning as wide as my mouth could go. Geez, I hoped I didn’t look deranged.

He stepped up to the table, wallet in hand, “Two adults, please.”

“That will be four dollars, sir,” she smiled kindly at him.

Edward handed her a twenty, “Keep the change.”

“Thank you for your donation, sir. The Children's Hospital appreciates it. Gentlemen, enjoy your evening.” It was hard not to smile like a silly loon when even the people working here were just as sweet as Edward. How could you not be happy? Pretty lights, festive decorations, and joyous families out for a night of fun, and I got to be a part of it.

Was it too soon to fall in love with this absolutely perfect man? Edward took my hand in his as we crossed the threshold and into the holiday magic. The pathway was lined with various vendor booths all the way around. Each tent was boldly decorated, and all of this circled the frozen pond that was packed full of ice skaters. Christmas music played through the speakers, and I was blown away. It was like we had Santa’s village right in our own backyard. My inner child simmered just below the surface, one more burst of holiday cheer may just set him free.

“Turn around, Brighton,” Edward said, as we stood in front of a ginormous brightly lit Christmas tree. “Let's take a selfie.” As soon as he went to snap the picture, I turned and kissed his cheek. “Now that's gonna be one I need to frame.”

“Please text it to me.” I’d save it as my phone’s screensaver. Every time I’d look at it the wonderful memories from today would come to mind. Edward once again took my hand in his as we continued to wander around. “There it is,” he pointed and tugged me over to the display.

Was it really? “Oh my gosh, Edward. It’s literally called The Little Red Hot Chocolate Truck.

“It's still around.” Edward grinned from ear to ear, excited to see this fond memory from his childhood.

“Two peppermint hot chocolates, please, with sprinkles.” Edward ordered for us, and I found I didn’t mind not being asked what I wanted. This way, it was like a pleasant surprise. A moment later we had the cups warming our hands. “You have no idea how happy this makes me. I have the perfect boy on the perfect night and now the perfect hot chocolate after a perfect dinner.” I grinned wide. No one had ever called me perfect before and I knew he meant it. Was I perfect? Far from it, but Edward thought so and that was all that mattered.

“Look, Edward, there's Santa!” They had a big Christmas village surrounded by a little white picket fence and at the center of it was Santa. Brightly lit trees lined the perimeter that led to his throne. The line to sit on his lap went down the aisle and beyond the eye. I think every kid in town may have been there.

“Do you want to stand in line and get your picture taken with Santa?” I thought about his question for a moment and declined. “What if we stand in front of the fence and do a selfie with Santa in the background?”

Now that, I could get behind. “Great idea.” We turned and posed with the big guy in the center of the picture and snapped it. Little did we know we'd been photobombed by Santa. In the background he smiled for the camera. “Oh my God, that is so awesome, send that one to me, too, please.” We turned and waved, and Santa winked. I was on the verge of breaking out in a happy dance. Not something the world should see.

“Let's take a seat and watch the skaters for a while, if you're okay with that, Brighton?”

“Absolutely.” I spotted, more like smelled, the kettle corn cart. Cinnamon and sugar filled my senses as my eyes homed in on the source. “Want to get some kettle corn before we go home? Oh, and maybe some of the nuts that they’re making, too?” My sweet tooth was front and center, dying to be filled with yummy sugary goodies.

“That's an awful lot of sugar, but I can't deny I'm craving it now, too.”

We watched the skaters until our hot chocolate was gone and then we hit the wallet emptying cart, but I couldn’t care less. I got my paws on it and couldn’t wait to dive in. Kettle corn and roasted pecans for the win! “Oh, I think I spotted the perfect gift for my mother. Do you mind if we stop?” Edward asked me.

“Absolutely not. I think this is wonderful. We could stop at every booth, and I would be fine with it. This was by far the best first date I've ever had.” I had no problem being the last ones carted out tonight as they closed. I was in heaven.

“Silly boy, after what you told me it's the only first date you’ve ever had.” I nearly addedand hopefully the last,though I didn't want to get ahead of myself. I wanted Edward to like me as much as I liked him, and I was afraid I’d screw things up by not knowing how to act or what to do. “What's that look on your face for? I don't like it when my boy is sad.”

For some reason, it no longer bothered me when he called meboy, not that it ever truly had. After our conversation about the subject last weekend, I did more research and soul searching. As I got to know Edward better, I’d come to realize it's a term of endearment from him and I didn't mind it at all. “I guess I'm just nervous about screwing this up, whatever this is that's brewing between us, and I'm afraid that I'm gonna get too far ahead and make a mistake.”

“Well, let me help you out with that. Communication will be key for us. I'm enjoying getting to know you and I want to date you, exclusively. I want you to be my one and only boy and if you're open and honest with me, I will promise you the same. I will make mistakes, too, we're human, but as long as we address them when they arise then we can fix what's broken and move forward. Does that sound like something you want?”

“Yes, very much.” Edward had this way of putting me at ease and explaining things so I could understand them. Not that I was dumb, he never talked down to me, but he knew that I was blindly diving into this, and I appreciated that he took the time to make sure I grasped it.

Edward paid for the sculpture he'd picked for his mother. “Why don't we have a seat and talk a bit more. Would you like another hot chocolate?”

“No, thank you. I'm full but that did hit the spot.” No wonder the memory of that cute truck stayed with him. It was by far the best hot chocolate I’d ever had.

As soon as we sat, he fidgeted with the bag he had. Was he nervous, too? “Let me explain things better. I tend to get ahead of myself, way ahead, and fall fast. And it always seems it's for the wrong boy. I really like you, Brighton, and I think we could have a great future ahead of us but if I start moving too fast, I need you to tell me. Can I count on you to do that?”

I pondered his words for a moment, curious as to why he'd say that. Someone from his past must have made him feel bad for it which to me made zero sense. How could it be bad to love someone? “Honestly, Edward, I'm nervous as well because I already have strong feelings for you. I enjoy your company and when I'm not with you I want to be. You're the first person I think of when something good happens and that's probably the reason why I've sent you far too many pictures of the girls.” Jeez, had I already gone too far?

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