Page 38 of Choosing a Forever
Instead of showing her the hurt, I give her a beaming smile. “It’s a date, Mack. I plan on wining—well, maybe no wine for me, but you can have some if you want—and dining you. Show you what you can look forward to as my wife. Besides, we need to be seen in public, right? No one will believe we’re getting married so quickly if we haven’t been out together.”
“We were seen in public at Valley Baker and G and S. Joanna knew something was up immediately. I told her on Wednesday we’re getting married, and she told me she’d kidnap me if she thought I was in trouble.”
“Is Joanna the scary lady with the spiky hair and nose ring?”
Mack laughs. “Yeah, that’s her. She looks scary, but she’s actually a softie.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
We pull into the parking lot of Sorrento Groves in Provo—an upscale restaurant, popular for special occasions and date nights. I’ve heard great things about the food, but I’ve never had someone to take until Mackcame back into my life. I knew immediately this is where I wanted to propose.
“Talmage,” Mack gasps. “This place is too expensive.”
“Nah. I’m a captain of the FD, Mack. The only thing I get to spend my money on is Siren. I promise it’s not too much. Let me spoil you a little.”
Mack shakes her head then sighs. “You’re not going to be talked out of this, are you?”
“Not a chance, Firefly.” I get out and round the car quickly, opening the door for her and offering my hand. “Let me show you off.”
She takes my hand, sparks lighting up my bloodstream as our skin touches. I swear a shiver runs down my spine at the contact.
I expect my nerves to come back full-force as we head to the restaurant. The weight of the ring box in my pocket should be making me vibrate with anxiety, but I feel calm. It’s like an anchor, keeping me grounded to reality.
The grass is green, the sky is blue, Mackenzie Thorpe is beautiful, and she’s going to be my wife.
Facts.
Chapter 13
Mackenzie
15 years old…
The gym is full of teenage bodies swaying slowly as “Arms”by Christina Perri plays. Tal’s hands are resting loosely on my hips and mine are around his neck. He won’t look me in the eye, and my stomach fills with anxiety.
Is he breaking up with me?
Has he rethought whatever it is we’re doing?
“Mack?” he whispers, and I look up to meet his eyes.
“Yeah?”
“I-I love you.”
This is the first time he’s said the words out loud. We’ve written them down and said it in a million ways, with and without words, but never have we spoken those exact words.
“I love you, too, Tal.”
He licks his lips, and time slows down as he lowers his face to mine. The gym, our friends, everything fades away until we’re in our own bubble, and then, it happens.
Talmage Monson kisses me. It’s hesitant, just a brush of his lips against mine, feather light and so achingly soft. Hesitant and cautious, but perfect nonetheless.
I want to grab him by the back of his head and crash his lips against mine harder, but this is his first kiss ever, so I’ll let him take the lead.
He presses his lips a bit more firmly against mine, and I swear I melt into a puddle. Someone is going to have to squeegee me off the floor.
The song ends, and the lights in the gym turn on since it was the last song. Our bubble is popped when our friend Austin comes over and starts gushing about how our kiss was the most romantic thing he’s ever seen.
