Page 10 of Happily Ever Laughter

Soon we arrive at a large park I’ve never heard of. He drives the van down a side trail, then parks near a lookout where the sun is just about to set.

Felix gives me his arm to assist me out of the van, and before I know it has two folding camping chairs set up to face the purple and peachy orange streaked sky.

As we settle into the chairs, Felix reaches out to take my hand. We stare in silence for what seems like a long time, as the colors dissolve and fade into each other.

A tiny suspicious part of my mind wonders what he’s trying to accomplish by simply sitting still together. Is he trying to make me imagine what it would be like to be an old married couple? If that’s his game, it’s absolutely working. Being comfortably still with him feels incredible. Better than I could’ve ever imagined.

The passion and fire from that kiss at my apartment still has my head reeling, but being grounded in this beautiful moment with him feels…precious.

Felix gives my hand a little squeeze and I look over to see him staring at me.

“You’re always beautiful,” he murmurs. “But when you’re studying colors, there’s something absolutely magical in your eyes.”

This is the exact point it begins. I can feel it. Like in sci-fi movies, when you see a cosmic wave of radiation pass through a spaceship or something.

The process of falling in love with Felix has just started.

CHAPTER SIX

~ Felix ~

By the time I have the small folding picnic table in place and the food laid out, I feel that things are already going very well. Watching Tanis nibble from a variety of deli food and treats is amusing. She is definitely impressed by the battery powered camping lamps, and the sturdy outdoor plates and cutlery.

Luckily, Dan is a sporty guy who goes camping several times every summer, and I was able to borrow his gear.

I’ve never wanted to go to this much trouble to impress a woman. In the past, my idea of a date has simply been a restaurant and drinks. Or maybe an activity like hiking. Tanis deserves more – like every color of the sunset as it dissolves into the night while we finish eating. I’m excited by the creative challenge of holding her interest, and being the date that she deserves.

As she licks the last drop of pepper jelly from her fingertip, I realize that I’m already falling for her a hundred times harder than I’ve ever fallen for any other girl.

She is the one. She. Is. It doesn’t feel natural to know this so soon, but it’s the truth. Clear as day. As plain as the perpetual grin on my face.

“This has been a fantastic picnic,” she smiles. “Should I start cleaning up?”

“Thanks, but no. I’ve got it.”

I jump up and make short work of the dishes and leftover food. Her eyebrow raises as I fold up the table and stash it in the back of the van, then set up a white screen.

“Outdoor movie night?” Her sweet squeal of surprise is absolutely adorable.

“Not quite. We’re working now.”

She grins, clearly not believing me. I set up a small projector and mini-speakers on an extra stool, then plug in a hard drive and start the show.

Pulling our chairs as close together as they’ll fit, I slip an arm around her shoulders. The night air is just beginning to cool, and we likely have almost an hour before it starts getting chilly.

The video starts with a short clip of a stand-up comedian talking about the difference between the action in old black-and-white films and modern movies today.

Since I’ve already seen it, I’m able to focus more on the incredible feeling of the sweet girl snuggling into my shoulder.

The sound of her laugh has a weird wave of hope hitting me straight in the center of my chest. The hope that I really could get to be the one to entertain her and make her happy forever.

At the end of the clip, as the applause fades out, a video comes up of a latte in a blue mug, with a lady’s finger tapping against the side.

It’s beautiful in its simplicity, the liquid rippling very slightly in time to the tapping. It’s also in time to the eerie old carnival music I’d synced to her video, along with the echo of a voice singing, “Ho-hum. Ho-hum”as if it was an old, scratched vinyl recording.

I watch Tanis carefully, waiting for her reaction. Please, let her like it.

She bursts into laughter, then again as it fades into the next clip of a comedian talking about the difference between men and women in corporate offices.

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