Page 111 of Confessions of a Virgin on a Dating App
He rubbed my shoulder as I stared at the lit candles, admiring the faint orange aura they gave off as they danced under the airy ceiling fans. Everyone insisted I make a wish, so I closed my eyes, dug deep into my mind, and wondered what I should ask for.
I could’ve done something silly, like wishing for a million dollars or to live to be a hundred. But then I reflected over the past few months. I’d finally gotten a diagnosis and treatment for my chronic health issues. I was on the path to mending my relationship with my parents.
And, of course, I now had a partner. Something I’d wanted for a long time.
I peered over at his face next to me, admiring the way his choppy black hair fell over his brows as the faint light of the candles danced in his pupils.
He smiled at me. I smiled back.
Then I knew my wish. I wished for this feeling of contentment, of having my life be complete, to last as long as possible. To remember this moment regardless of what the future held.
I blew out the candle, leaving only a faint plume of smoke trailing off a bent wick.
A small chorus of claps echoed from the table as my friends eagerly gathered around to grab a slice of cake. It looked delicious, with molten-black sponge cake and thick mocha frosting. And this time, I was able to happily consume an entire piece without my stomach feeling like it was about to explode. As we all collapsed on the couch in a sugar coma, I placed a hand over my abdomen. I could feel the texture of the pink scars below the fabric of my dress, but for once, I wasn’t in pain.
Sam turned on the television, and we managed to get a few rounds ofJackboxgames in before everyone got too tired. It wasn’t even midnight, but most of us were either in our thirties or rapidly approaching it. My ability to stay awake into the early hours of the morning was waning as I got older.
Devin and I had taken separate cars, but he still insisted on walking me out to mine. I happily agreed, lacing my fingers through his as we trudged across Sam’s dewy lawn in the darkness.
“Uh, Dev.” I paused once we approached the sidewalk. “My car is that way.”
“I know.” He grinned, and I could tell he was up to something. “Hop in the car with me for a minute.”
“Dev, we’re not—”
“What?” He raised a dark eyebrow. “And I didn’t meanthat. But if youdowant to stay the night…”
I crinkled my nose, a teasing smile on my face. “I suppose I could. I don’t have worktomorrow.”
“And Critical Games doesn’t open until noon on Sundays,” Devin replied, slipping an arm around my hips and pulling me closer. I giggled as my chest pressed against his, the curves of our bodies palpable beneath the fabric of our clothing. “Follow me back to my place. I’ll give you your gift there.”
“Gift? My birthday isn’t until next week.”
“Yes, but I wanted to give it to you tonight so you could use it atC&Ctomorrow,” Devin gently pushed me toward my car. “C’mon, follow me back to my place.”
Devin lived twenty minutes from Sam’s house, and the whole time, my mind swirled with guesses as to what my gift could be. It would have to be somethingC&Crelated…I wondered if he got me a new book, or painted a miniature for me.
No matter what it was, I was excited about any gift from him.
It was only my second time at Devin’s townhouse, but this time I remembered exactly how to get there. I smiled as I approached the front door, hoping that this place would become even more familiar with time.
“Alright.” Devin paused once we made it to the kitchen. He pressed his hips against mine, and I propped myself up on his kitchen table. This made us both the same height, making it much easier for Devin to wrap his arms around me and kiss me until I melted in his arms.
Just as I was ready to slide my fingers down the waistband of his jeans, he pulled away and grabbed a small, wrapped object out of his pocket. It was about eight inches long and very thin, almost like a pencil case, and was topped with a tiny red bow.
“Happy birthday, Avie.” He handed the gift to me.
I gave his lips another quick kiss. “Youare my birthday present this year.”
“Well, hey.” He grinned, pressing himself tighter against me. “Now you get two presents. C’mon, open it.”
I tore off the shiny red paper, revealing a black metal case. I flipped it over, and there was an image of a small red dragon wrapped around a d20 die on the front.
Wait a minute.
This is a dice case.
I pried the top off, now very curious about what was inside. I had at least half a dozen dice sets, but one of the rules of being aC&Cplayer was that you could never have too many dice.
