Page 42 of Choosing a Forever
I wish our first kiss after thirteen years wasn’t in a crowded restaurant, but it felt right in the moment, and I wouldn’t change it. Fitting, since our first kiss back then was also in a crowded space. A restaurant is much better than a gym full of sweaty teenagers, though.
I didn’t want to pull back from our kiss. The feeling of her luxurious lips against mine made my brain melt and my blood boil in a way it hasn’t before, and I wanted to keep kissing her forever.
It was probably a good thing she pulled away when she did, though, because wewerein a crowded restaurant.
Am I a little disappointed I didn’t get to kiss her goodnight at her door? Yes. But do I also know she probably only kissed me because we were in public, and it was the natural thing after a proposal? Also yes.
I still have a bit of work to do before she fully understands—comprehends, accepts—I’m serious about her. About us.
As soon as I woke up—and took care of the mess—I texted Mack. I changed my lock screen to the picture the waitress took last night, and I grinned when I saw it first thing this morning. Mack’s hand is on my chest, and her smile is wider than I’ve ever seen it. The best part is it doesn’t look forced. She looks genuinely happy, and it makes warmth spread through my limbs.
We look amazing together.
TAL:Good morning, Mack! I hope you slept well. I’m telling my family about us today. Can I come see you after?
It’s been two hours, and she hasn’t responded. I’ve walked Siren, played fetch until my shoulder got tired and she was ready for a nap. Now I’m just sitting on my couch sketching until it’s time to leave for dinner at my parents’.
I already knew I’d be skipping church today, and I feel like a rebel doing it without a legitimate reason.
I don’t feel as guilty as I usually do, so that’s progress. Maybe Mack is rubbing off on me already.
I’m so lost in my drawing of a dragon flying over a field of wildflowers that my phone buzzing startles me, and I snap the lead of my pencil.
I groan, not looking forward to sharpening it. But it’s all worth it when I see who texted me back.
MACK:Hey, I slept okay, thanks. You? What time did you want to stop by?
TAL:I slept wonderfully, thanks. I was thinking 7, probably. Is that okay?
MACK:That’s fine. I took Kinsley and Harper out to breakfast today and told them we’re getting married.
TAL:How did it go?
MACK:About as well as I expected. Lots of questions. Be prepared for them to do the same to you.
TAL:I’ll come prepared, promise.
MACK:Good luck telling your family. I’ll see you later.
TAL:Looking forward to it.
She doesn’t respond, and part of me wonders if the kissing emoji was too much.
Dang it, now I’m thinking about kissing her again.
Smudge-proof lipstick.
Needing a distraction, I get off the couch and put my art supplies back in the drawer before taking a quick shower and putting on some nicer clothes than the sweats and Springville FDshirt I had on.
Why am I more nervous to tell my parents I’m getting married than I was to ask Mack to marry me? Maybe because my mom hasn’t liked Mack in the past, and thisisreally sudden. But I’m an adult. I can make my own choices. They don’t have to like them, but they do have to respect them.
I get Siren buckled into the car and drive to my parents’ house. Time to face the music.
The clink of utensils hitting ceramic fills the air as we all dig into our food. I’m next in the lineup of updates on my life, and I think I’m sweating with how nervous I am.
Lauren is just finishing telling us about a guy in her master’s program, a world-famous cellist who can no longer play to the same caliber because of a broken arm. He wants to teach now, and they’re in a study group together. She doesn’t say it with the cadence of someone who’s interested in him romantically, but it doesn’t stop my mom from pouncing on the information.
“Well, he sounds like a nice boy. Maybe you two can… study together,” Mom says, and Lauren groans.
