Page 90 of Make My Heart Malt

“Because I have you.”

She claps her hands over my cheeks and presses a soft kiss to my lips. “And I have you.” Her breath skates across my mouth.

I slide out and set her on her wobbly feet. “I'll clean you up.”

I stroll to the bathroom and wet a washcloth with warm water. Afterward, we climb into bed. Dessa has gotten used to sleeping naked when she’s with me, and I certainly won’t complain.

She snuggles into my side, resting her cheek on my chest. “What did you want to talk about earlier?”

“Before I was rudely interrupted?”

“I don’t recall you putting up a fight.”

I slide my hand over the smooth skin on her back. “Yeah. What I had to say could wait.”

Her shoulders shake with laughter. “What did you want to say?”

I blow out a breath and stare at the ceiling. “I know the relationship between us is new, but I’ve known you for over half my life. You’re still the sweetest, kindest, caring, compassionate, and most beautiful woman now as you were back then. When I look five years, ten years, twenty years into my future, you’re the one I see myself with.” She twists in my arm and rests her palm against my cheek, and I lean into her warmth. “I love you Dessa. I always have, I always will. And I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” Her breath hitches as fear and anxiety flit through her eyes. The corner of my mouth turns up into a half smile. “I’m not asking you to be my wife. Not today anyway. But I will.”

Her features soften, maybe in relief. “I love you,Garrett. I’m elated that you came back into my life, and we were able to work things out. You and me in a relationship is a lot and fast. As much as I want to be there with you every step of your career, I hate the idea of giving everything up. My life. My friends. My identity. I don’t want to only be known as Garrett Dawson’s girlfriend.”

“I mean, that’s a pretty cool title.”

She laughs. “It’s the best title. But I don’t want it to be my only one. So, can we continue as we are for now while we find our footing?”

“Of course.” I press a kiss to her forehead. “I’m always here, and always will be.”

THIRTY-EIGHT

OOPS

Dessa

It’s been a month and a half since Garrett was in Minnesota. It’s been a month and a half since we’ve seen each other in person. Long-distance relationships are not for the faint of heart. I think the one thing that’s made it easier is we sort of started our relationship as long-distance. We’ve grown used to the phone calls and video chats to communicate, especially as a way of being intimate. Right now, it works for us. But it kind of has to.

Since I last saw him, Garrett’s been to Philadelphia, Detroit, Seattle, San Francisco, New York, and Arizona. We’ve done our best to sync our schedules so we can have more than a few minutes of alone time. I found it works best when he has a night game on the West Coast because he only has to wait around an hour until I'm done with work.

After my shift today, I’m boarding a plane and flying to Seattle. Since I’m landing before him, he’s arranged for a car to pick me up and he gave me the code to his condo so I can meet him there. He has a night game in San Diego and once it’s finished, he’ll do his post-game workout and interviews. Afterward, they’ll board the plane and touch down in Seattle around one in the morning.

Behind the bar, I busy myself with anything and everything to make the time go by faster.

“I don’t think I’ve seen the bar as clean as it is right now.” Nora steps up next to me and grabs a pint glass, holding it under the tap until the golden beer kisses the brim.

I laugh. “I’m counting the seconds until I leave to see Garrett.”

She passes the beer to a customer. “So, things are going well between you two?”

I nod. “Really good. Obviously, the distance throws a wrench into our relationship. I know he wishes we were closer, and I’m sure he’d make room in his closet if I asked him to.”

She rests a hand on her hip. “Then why are you still here? Go be with him.”

My shoulders slump. “But it’s not that easy. Am I supposed to drop my entire life and stand in his shadow?”

“You will never be in Garrett’s shadow. He would physically pick you up and move you to the sunlight before he let that happen.”

I press my lips together. Who am I kidding? That’s exactly what he’d do. I drop my gaze to the floor. “I’d hate to give up everything here.”

“Look, I get that Porter’s is awesome and everyone here is awesome, but Garrett’s giving you an amazingopportunity. Why haven’t you carpe diem-ed the fuck out of here, yet?”

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