Page 45 of Until Now
“Don’t make eye contact with anyone. Take my hand. We’re going to cross the lawn when the next song starts.”
Maxen sounds as if we are in a Mission Impossible film. The theme music pops up in my mind.
“If someone looks at us, they’re going to know we’re going into the trees. We will be busted but good.”
These tennis shoes I’m wearing with my dress look ridiculous. But so what? We’re going to be walking on needles and leaves and the floor of the forest. It’s a good thing I retrieved them from the RV.
“Let’s go,” he says, leading the way.
Eyes ahead, we walk out onto the dance floor and cross it to the grass. Not one soul is interested in our travels or our aim. “Rock Around the Clock” is playing, and the dancers are deep in their cups, as my grandfather used to say. A clapping crowd surrounds grandma Birdie and Grandpa Davis as they move together smoothly. This was probably their generation’s teen anthem, and for a moment, I see their young faces under the grey hair.
By the time we are out of the vocal reach of the other guests, we relax our gait.
“Did I tell you how pretty you look tonight?”
I hook my arm through his. “Tell me again.”
“You look so pretty. I’m going to take it all off.”
“That makes no sense,” I laugh.
“It makes perfect sense to every man on the planet.”
We reach the entry to the little forest and move into the thicket of trees. As the light and music from the party fades, Maxen brings out a flashlight from his pocket.
“I don’t think we have to go too far. Atticus said we couldn’t miss it.”
I give him a look that questions what he told his new friend.
“He’s the one that suggested we check it out. He doesn’t know we’re here now.”
“Glad you thought of the flashlight.”
He taps his temple. “I wasn’t going to let darkness stop me.”
Weaving through the trees, we find the clearing. I know it’s the one because an iron signpost under a sprawling Pecan tree marks the spot. It reads,Here marks the sacred spot Charlotte and Atticus fell in love.The pillowed purple chaise stands before it as a spot for remembering.
My hand goes to my mouth. “Oh, that is so romantic.”
He takes me in an embrace. “This is the perfect place for us too. It’s already been lucky for another couple.”
My eyes close as he kisses my neck and my ear.
“Not that my love for you needs any prompting,” he says.
I’m still not used to hearing those words from Maxen. Every time I have, it thrills.
“Look. There’s a lantern we can use. Good.”
He picks up the lantern from the stump next to the chaise and turns it on. Placing his flashlight and cell next to it, he turns to me.
“Come here, my love,” I say, arms open.
We come together in a kiss. But that’s a poor description of what passes between us. The kiss is just the vehicle, the way inside each other’s hearts. He begins to undress me. It’s slow and gentle, and he takes time to appreciate every moment.
When I’m standing in my sexy, silky ice blue bra and panties, he smiles. Like he’s holding back a chuckle.
“What?” I ask.
