Page 35 of Oh Boy!
Nathan
9 months later…
My eyes widen as I push open the door to our extended summer rental. Awestruck, I step inside the bright room, holding one of Sally’s bags in either hand. “Now, that’s what I call a summer house!”
“Isn’t it gorgeous?” my confident girlfriend asks from behind me. “Even better than the pictures online!” Her voice is tinged with pride for unearthing this gem. “We’re gonna have so much fun!” She claps her hands, which makes my heart swell.
Standing to one side of the entryway, I drop her luggage on the hardwood floor and turn around to usher her in. By now, she must know that it’s my way of sneaking a raunchy once-over.
Of course, my blood travels south, and my eager cock twitches at the view. How did I get so lucky as to keep such an amazing woman? A woman who taught me that there was more to Barbie than the oddly proportioned doll; she made me watch a bunch of animated movies to prove that Barbie is talented and independent. A woman who taught me that there was more to my favorite legend than finding a soulmate; she made me grasp how vital chemistry is to a couple. A woman who taught me that beauty included leaving room to better yourself; she makes me happier with every passing day, and in turn, I’m learning to tone down some obsessions.
Swirling through the living room, a knowing smile tugs at her lush lips when she sees the bulge tenting my red shorts. I can’t wait to have those lips wrapped around me.
“Wait until you see the private beach!” Her expressive eyes crinkle with excitement. She takes my hand to lead us to the large kitchen for a glass of water, then towards the back of the house.
The view is breathtaking, tempering my racing pulse. Without a word, I arrange the two Adirondack chaises so that they’re a few inches apart and noisily wrench my shoes off; so does she. We lie down in a comfortable silence while listening to the waves, knowing we’ll go for a dip before long.
“Thank you, Sally. I love it!” I eventually say, tilting my head to gaze at her. She flashes me a mega-watt smile, and I sigh, registering how happy I am to be here with her.
So many things have happened since I showed up on her doorstep in Australia; I’ve been in a monogamous relationship with a wonderful person who gets me like no other, and I’m loving it. After rekindling Down Under, I felt the need to reassure her. Tell her that I hadn’t been with anyone else since the day we kissed. That I was exclusive from the get-go. That I was faithful at heart…
That was then, this is now. I can’t imagine my life without Sally in it, no matter how disgusting her coffee is. Granted, I have yet to admit this to her and step in every time she offers to make it.
I wonder if she’s noticed.
After a short jaunt at Virgil’s calligraphy workshop in Truro last year, she fell in love with Cape Cod and managed to land a job with The Cape Cod National Seashore while plotting with Virgil behind my back. A summer workshop and an unexpected art opening at the exclusiveDougal’s Shadows & Lightsgallery in July await… as if I’d decline!
Granted, last August, I complained about the crowds and paucity of parking spots, the unbearable August heat and the lack of air conditioning that resulted from our last-minute booking. This year, my understanding girlfriend got past her aversion to air-conditioning and located this gem: an ocean-front cottage with vaulted ceilings, modern décor, and a massive terrace leading to a private section of the beach.
It’s further away from the workshop, but with our two cars, getting around won’t be an issue, and the place has a garage to protect my cherished Mustang. Is she perfect for me or what?
My dark eyes bore into her baby blues. I reach for her hand, our elbows resting on the chairs’ arms, and lace my fingers with hers. I stare at our joined hands. Damn, I have it bad for her. The way we get one another without words. The way I’ll be forever grateful that she chose me. The way she grounds me when I tend to lose focus. What I appreciate the most is that we accept each other.
In spite of her gleeful gaze, I can’t help the pang of guilt that tightens my heart, and I wince. I’m such an egotistical prick! Frowning, I grasp that I overlooked one important detail when agreeing to her otherwise perfect plan, which was entirely for my benefit. As it happens, my crammed schedule and constant traveling hindered progress onMy Black Angel Book Legendproject, and now I’m making up for lost time. Absorbed by my tedious research, I now realize that I’ve even neglected Sally. Of course, honoring my contract with Maxwell Turner is important, but I lost track of my priorities, my top one being Sally Mitchell. (Pun intended, although I’d take her any way she lets me.)
My heart drops, and I shiver. “Why didn’t we discuss Colorado this year?”
She chuckles and blows an exaggerated air kiss in my direction. “You’re sweet… You and your rituals! Listen, I had a blast last year, revisiting places, grabbing lunch with Elijah Steel, our former Krav Maga teacher, and meeting your brother’s family. That was then, this is now.” That’s become our favorite expression.
“I know. What I meant was: won’t you miss seeing Rupert in his element?”
“Nah, as long as he sends me his latest demo stuff and I get to see him on a regular basis, we’re good. To be honest, I’m glad that his rising stardom hasn’t gone to his head. I’m not sure how much he told you, but he has a new love interest, so having a fake girlfriend lurking is a bad idea.”
“Right! How could I have forgotten?”
“Well, you have a lot going on and so do I. Believe it or not, Virgil didn’t talk me into coming back to the Cape. My job here is as enticing as yours. We could have waited for high-season to start, but I wanted to explore the area as a local. Too bad the drive-in won’t open for another month…”
“And you’re hoping that Virgil’s sidekick will show you around, is that it?”
“Maybeee…” She trails off and stares into the distance. “From what I’ve heard, she’s one of a kind, so I’m excited to finally meet her.”
“Excited, seriously? She’s one of a kind, that’s for sure. Remember that you’re talking about the girl who nicknamed usSathanbefore you guys even met! Now Virgil’s followed her lead, and I’ll be damned if anyone else does.”
“Look, she has a weird sense of humor. After all, Brangelina wasn’t available or fitting!”
“I can’t believe you’re taking her side! As much as I enjoy the tiny devil, she’ll pay for it later.” My warning is tinged with amusement, though. I haven’t seen the talented Veronica Parker, fittingly nicknamed Tiny due to her petite frame, for months because she felt the urgency to visit an ashram in rural India!
Breaking our connection, I swiftly get up and awkwardly straddle her, with my feet planted on the deck. Cupping her flushed face in my hands, I lean in and kiss her softly.
