Page 37 of How We Loved

“That you will.” Natalie smiles.

We check out and load my car to drive to Dalton’s new place.

I head downtown, where he was able to rent a new apartment that was built above our favorite Mexican restaurant, which is in the process of moving to this location. When I park behind the building, I look at the long staircase leading up to his front door, then look at the back of my car, which is absolutely stuffed with bags of everything we bought.

“Don’t worry; the guys are here,” Natalie replies to my unsaid thoughts. “They’ll help us carry everything in.”

“Okay, good. I was regretting some of these purchases for a second.”

We both laugh as we open the door and start grabbing the first round of bags to go up.

With both of our arms full, we walk up the staircase and are greeted by Dalton, Eli, and Ben, who takes what I’m holding and sets it on the couch.

“There’s more downstairs,” Natalie says.

“Lots more!” I giggle.

Ben and Eli head out the door to get the stuff as Dalton walks to Natalie, picking her up and swinging her around before kissing her.

“Thanks for doing that for me,” he says.

She pulls his bank card out of her back pocket and places it on his chest. “Thanks for giving me your card.”

“We had so much fun, picking out everything. Talk about a shopping spree,” I say.

Ben walks in, carrying a comforter set, and Natalie points to the gray-and-black checked bedding.

“See? Not girlie.”

Dalton kisses her again. “It’s perfect. You’re the only girlie thing allowed to make its mark here.”

She wraps her arms around him, and they kiss again.

“Get a room,” I say as I slap Dalton’s back. “Actually, don’t. Not until we leave.”

Natalie and Dalton both laugh as I turn around so I don’t have to see them make out. When I see Dalton’s guitar sitting on a stand in the corner, it makes me smile. I’ve always loved listening to him play when we are all at Ben’s, and it’s so cool to see it on display so proudly in the living room in his own place.

“What is this?” Ben takes my costume out of the bag that someone brought in on accident.

I jump with excitement to show him. “It’s my Halloween costume for tomorrow.” I hold it up to my body to show it off. “Isn’t it perfect since I’m dating Trevor?”

Ben sighs, obviously annoyed. “He’s coming?”

I hit him with the back of my hand. “Don’t be like that. But, no, he can’t make it. He has to work.”

“Then, why aren’t we going in the costumes we already planned?”

“Sorry.” I put the costume back in the bag. “This is just too perfect since my boyfriend is a real rodeo cowboy.”

“You’re lame,” Ben states as he gets back to unpacking.

I ignore his comment and grab another bag to unload.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Maya

I’m super happy with my costume, so I take a selfie to send it to Trevor. I told him when we spoke last night that I had a surprise, but didn’t tell him what it was. My phone makes the swooshing noise, indicating that the photo was sent, and it’s not even two seconds later when Trevor calls me.

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