Page 33 of Choosing a Forever
He shrugs, giving me a sheepish smile. “It feels fitting, you know? Full circle.”
I know he’s referring to the Valentine’s Day dance freshman year. When he kissed me for the first time. After swearing he wouldn’t kiss anyone other than his wife on his wedding day, he changed his mind. We were slow dancing to “Arms”by Christina Perry, the last song of the dance, and it was like a movie moment, the way he tipped my chin and kissed me. He was so gentle about it—so shy and sweet. One of our friends came over to us after and said it was like watching a romance movie.
I guess maybe he remembers it because it was his first kiss, but does he think about the moment as often as I do? Does he ever think about the way his heart beat faster, the way the world around us blurred until it was just us in the musty junior high gym, the lights dimmed and music blaring from the speakers?
Or is it just me who thinks about it? Just me who has to skip that song because the memories are too overwhelming every time it comes on?
I swallow around the lump of emotion stuck in my throat. “Right, yeah. Full circle. But is it too cliché?”
Tal shrugs again. “I think it’s kind of romantic. If you want, we can do it the week before, but I wasn’t sure if you had plans since your birthday is that Sunday.”
I blink at him. “You remember my birthday?”
“Of course I do. February ninth.” He looks offended.
“I remember yours, too,” I whisper. May twenty-seventh. I used to make fun of him for being younger than me, even though it’s only four months. “I don’t have plans. I think Lizzie wants to go out and celebrate since her birthday is only two days after mine, but we don’t have anything set in stone.”
Tal nods, his lips tipping into a small frown. “Well, which day would you prefer? We can do the seventh, then celebrate your birthday and our nuptials, or we can go with Valentine’s Day.”
It’s a double-edged sword. I feel like my birthdayandValentine's Day will be forever ruined after we get divorced. Not that I celebrate either very much anyway. Hard to have a fun day of love when your only companion has been a vibrator for five years, and celebrating your birthday when you’re overworked is just exhausting. Lizzie and I usually get takeout and watch horror movies to celebrate.
“Should we do it the day after Valentine's Day? Or do you want to get married on a Friday?”
“Right, you have a regular job.” He chuckles. “We can do it the day after. I’ll make an appointment at the courthouse and sort out the license.”
Why does this feel like I’m scheduling a major, life-changing surgery?
“Okay, thank you. Um, when do you want to move in?”
“I figured I’d move in the same day. I pay month-to-month, so I can get out of my lease anytime. Oh, shoot. Do you have a fenced-in yard?”
“Yes. We were able to stay in my childhood home, so we have a fenced-in yard. Why?”
“Just wanted to make sure Siren won’t be able to escape. Not that I think she would, but you never know.”
I blink. “Who?”
“Siren’s my girl!” As soon as the words leave his mouth he cringes. “I mean, mydog.She’s a two-year-old golden retriever—high energy little thing, but I love her. She helps out at the station when I’m there and is being trained for search and rescue. She’s almost done with her training.”
“Oh, well, that’s cool. I’m assuming she’s not going to bite my hand off or anything?”
“Of course not, she’s a good girl. Here—” He pulls out his phone and shows me a picture. Siren’s lying on her back with her tongue lolled out to the side looking at the camera. I swear it looks like she’s smiling.
You know when people say dogs look like their owners?
I never really understood, but Talmage and Siren have the same vibe. Same golden hair, same excited energy.
“She’s cute. I love her collar.”
Tal’s face turns pink. “Thanks, I special order them from Etsy. She has a collar for every occasion.”
God, why does his love for his dog make me want to melt?
It pulls a small smile from me. “That’s adorable. Do you think she’ll be okay changing environments?”
He nods. “Yeah, she’ll be fine. I’m sure she’ll love having an actual yard to run around in instead of staying cooped in the apartment until I can get her to the park.”
“Good, good. I wouldn’t want to cause her any stress.” I’ve never owned a pet, so I don’t know how this is going to pan out. Will she sleep on the bed with us—wait, are we sharing a bed?
