Page 81 of Forever Flirting

“Because I don’t plan on waiting months for you to return, or tiptoeing around the subject of my life. I’ve always been very decisive, analyzing a situation, making an assessment, and then acting without worry about the consequence… and this is the same.”

“So, I’m a situation?”

“You make me happy,” Everly said softly, looking up at him. “You make my heart soar, my mind feel at ease, and I really like being around you – and while we can wait… I just do not see a need to, unless it’s because you would feel better about it.”

“I thought you wanted to go flying tomorrow,” Alex stammered, a little taken aback. “We just talked last night, and you didn’t say anything about…”

“I still want to,” and she drew back, looking at him in surprise. “Are you having second thoughts, because if…”

“NO!” Alex uttered quickly, cutting her off. “I’m just realizing that I think I’m the ‘girl’ in our relationship,” he admitted nervously. “I am the one being all emotional, worried, and insisting on a fancy ring…”

“And I’m aggressive,” Everly said openly, smirking at him.

“I would saydecisive– and I’m glad,” he countered, grinning.

“Very,” she retorted. “So, we should probably tell your grandmother to roll her hair tonight, so she’s ready at two tomorrow afternoon. I’ll be here around one to pick up my fiancé and my stepson.”

“Well, okay…” Alex chuckled. “I’ll make sure the plane is prepped for flight around three. We’re getting married.”

“Yes, we are,” Everly smiled, reaching up and pulling his head towards her, kissing him softly.

Alex held her close, cradling her against him, realizing that they were indeed perfect compliments to each other’s personalities, each comfortable in letting the other take the lead, and silently supporting the other one.

“Did you bring your daubers, girl?” his grandmother called out from the front door. “I’m hungry, and it’s nachos tonight at the bingo hall. I called them already to make sure they’ve got my hot peppers waiting.”

“Yes, ma’am…” Everly replied, smiling up at Alex. “You want to tell her, or do you want me to?”

“Tell me what?” Nana said bluntly.

“You need to roll your hair tonight, Nana,” Alex said, smiling at Everly. “We are going to the courthouse tomorrow afternoon.”

“Are you pregnant girl?” Nana asked bluntly, pointing a cane at the two of them and glaring at him. “What did I tell you, boy?”

“Nana!”

“Not yet,” Everly laughed. “And I don’t have to be pregnant to marry your grandson, either.”

“Just making sure you didn’t knock ‘my bingo girl’to ‘trollop’,” his sweet Nana said, causing his mouth to drop open as he looked at Everly – who was laughing. “And I told you not to screw this up!”

“I promise I won’t!” Alex chuckled, his eyes wide, and realizing he was quickly outnumbered by two strong, opinionated women that absolutely ruled his life. “I think I know how this works. If you say jump… I’ll just ask how high and keep my trap shut.”

“Good boy,” his Nana said, walking out with her bag carrying her bingo bottles, patting him on the cheek as she passed. “Let’s go. They’ve got the big pull-tabs tonight, too.”

“C’mon, ‘good boy’,” Everly teased, patting him on the cheek – just like his grandmother did, and Alex couldn’t help but laugh helplessly.

* * *

A few hours later,Alex was staring in disbelief at just how well Everly and his grandmother got along. They were talking to each other, watching each other’s cards, watchinghiscard, and telling him what number he was waiting for in the hopper.

It was nearly comical, because they both took the game so seriously – except where Everly was quietly pushy about what to do next… his grandmother had no qualms at sharing her opinions.

“Hey, ya’ old blue-hair! Sit down and hush-up. You cannot have bingo with three numbers called, you idiot! And if you pay that out to Pearl? I’m gonna ‘roll’ her butt in the parking lot, you hear me, Stanley? Don’t you do it!” his grandmother hollered angrily, getting to her feet, and shaking her dauber at someone at the next table.

“NANA!” Alex hissed, tugging on her elbow. “Did my grandmother just threaten to mug someone?!”

“Leave her be,” Everly said quietly without looking up. “She’s made it this long running her mouth, and I’m pretty sure she can take Pearl in a fight.”

“What?”

---