Page 19 of Love Potion

While I wait, I look around his space at the shelves full of video games he’s collected over the years. He’s got an impressive movie collection too. On another bookcase, books he’s been amassing since he was still a kid are neatly lined up, organized by title so he can always find the one he’s looking for. There are touches of Lowen’s designer influence in the space, from the super comfortable couch to some of the decor, but mostly I just see Jerryn. All the things he enjoys are on display.

“Okay, I’m ready,” he says from behind me. He’s still tucking his shirt in when I twist to face him. “Been awhile since we dressed up.”

“It has.” I glance at my watch. “Good timing. The car should be here in a few minutes.”

Jerryn nods, walking over to me and straight into my arms. “I’m really excited.”

“It’s gonna be fun.”

With my hand on his lower back, I guide him out of his room and downstairs. It’s still nice out, so we don’t need jackets just yet. I finish locking up just as the car arrives.

Now it’s time for me to move into date mode. I skip ahead a few beats so I can open the back door for Jerryn, and when he doesn’t react to that, I realize with some amusement that I always grab the door for him.

I join him, greeting the driver as we confirm our destination. Jerryn practically vibrates with excitement. Dang. I should have figured this one out sooner. He really wanted to go but played it off to me, afraid I wouldn’t want to. I wonder if there are other things he’s keeping from me because he thinks I wouldn’t like them.

That’s okay though. I’ll just pay even more attention to the things he says. I got this.

I put my hand on his thigh and squeeze gently. “Excited?”

He nods, smiling sheepishly. “It might be lame.”

“Probably not though. This exhibit has been touring the world, so it must be pretty impressive.”

“Maybe.” He bites his bottom lips for a second. “It’s nice that I can totally geek out with you.”

“Always.”

He turns to me, his pretty hazel eyes illuminated by the setting sun and city lights as we pass. Jerryn is by far the best looking person I’ve ever met, and that’s saying something. His attractiveness is so real and simple. He’s completely unaware that he’s so gorgeous too. He never catches the head turns or the way customers fawn over him. As close as we are, he has zero clue that he’s the center of my universe. It’s kind of sweet.

But I can tell something is on his mind. I know his body language well, and as he fidgets, chews on his bottom lip, and exhales loudly every few seconds, I just know.

“Something else on your mind, Jerr?”

He startles slightly, like he forgot I was next to him. “No, not really.”

“Okay.” That’s a lie, but he’ll tell me when he’s ready.

About thirty minutes later, we pull up in front of the New Onyx History Museum. Jerryn exits the car and waits on the sidewalk for me to join him.

“Let me pull up our tickets.”

Jerryn nods, gazing up at the massive feature covering the front of the building with the famous ship on it while I open the email with our tickets.

A few minutes later, we enter the museum and follow the signs to the exhibit. We’ve got three full hours before dinner to make sure he isn’t rushed at all. I know how he likes to read all the plaques and spend time looking at the details.

When we get to the spot, I’m surprised to find a bridge that looks like one you’d used to board a ship. Jerryn giggles, gripping my arm.

“This is so cool.”

“It is.”

We walk onto the bridge and pass through red velvet curtains that take us into a darkened room. Other people join us, and as we wait, the sound of dripping water fills the space. As the lighting brightens, the projection on the walls makes it look like we’re surrounded by water.

Then the narration begins, telling us about what happened that fateful night before more curtains open and we begin an immersive experience that starts with the grandeur of the ship, leads us through the lower levels, and shows the stark differences between the classes.

“In real life, I don’t think Jack could’ve gotten close enough to Rose to romance her,” Jerryn whispers.

“Probably not.”

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