Page 45 of Choosing a Forever
She looks cozy in an oversized gray sweatshirt and leggings, her hair in a messy bun. She’s not wearing any makeup, and the bags under her eyes make my chestache. I still think she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, but I hate how tired and worn out she looks.
Not for long. My wife will be well-rested and rejuvenated if I have any say in the matter.
“Hey, Mack. Hope it’s okay I’m early.”
“Of course. Come on in.” She steps into the house, and I follow. I didn’t get to see inside when I picked her up for our date yesterday, and I’m eager to see what Mack’s space looks like. When we were teens, I never saw the inside of her house.
The door opens into a little entryway. To the left is a set of French doors leading to a space with a piano and shelves full of books, and to the right is what looks like a half bath. We walk down the hall into an open-concept kitchen and living room. There’s a plush looking brown leather couch, matching armchair, and a TV mounted to the wall. More bookshelves hold DVDs, and pictures line the walls. All the walls are painted a light gray, and the flooring is light oak. There’s a large multi-colored floral area rug in the middle of the living room.
The kitchen lights are off, but from what I can see, the cabinets are painted a pale yellow with silver handles and matching stainless steel appliances. The countertops are white and gray marbled granite that pair nicely with the color scheme. It looks… bright. Happy. It makes me wonder if Mack picked it out or if this was her parents’ doing.
“Your house is nice,” I comment as she motions for me to sit down on one end of the couch.
Her smile is sad when she replies, “Thanks. They’d just finished remodeling the upstairs about six monthsbefore… well, you know. Mom was so happy to finally have her yellow kitchen.”
“I’m sorry, Mack.”
She shrugs. “Thank you. How did it go with your parents?”
I blow out a long breath. “Not… great. My mom is really upset, and I think it’ll take some time to mend our relationship. I also may have blurted out I was leaving the church, so…”
“Oh, no, Tal. I’m so sorry.” She reaches across the couch and grabs my hand, giving it a comforting squeeze.
I scoot a little closer to her and flip my hand over, intertwining my fingers with hers—a perfect fit.
My heart flip flops when I realize she’s wearing her ring. I like seeing it on her finger way more than I thought I would.
“It’s okay. I’m sure she’ll come around, and if she doesn’t, then… I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. If she can’t be happy for me, then I don’t need her in my life.”
Mack’s frown deepens. “I don’t want your family relationship to be ruined just so Harp can have better health insurance. I’m not worth all the pain and trouble.”
She doesn’t realize I’d walk over a bed of nails for her. I’d trudge through a building on fire with no gear, if I needed to, just to get to her. I’d doanythingto keep her in my life and make her happy.
“You’re more than worth it, Mack. Like I said, I’m sure she’ll come around. She just needs to get over the initial shock of… everything. I would have to tell her anyway when I eventually left the church—and it would have happened with or without you. We would’ve had the same argument. The only difference is, now I have you.”
Mack chews on the inside of her cheek. “For now,” she mutters.
Yeah, the reminder makes me itchy. I don’t like it. Not one bit.
I scoot even closer, so our thighs are touching. Then, I cup her cheek. “Then I’ll have to make the most of the time I’ve got.”
I start to lean in, but she turns her head. “I don’t think we should kiss again. Other than like, on our wedding day, you know? We need to make sure we don’t cross any lines so it’s not as hard when this ends.”
I scoot back, and instant regret floods my body. “Right. You’re right. Sorry. I got caught up in the moment.” I don’t agree with her, though. I think whether we kiss or not, it’ll be like ripping off a limb when we get divorced. It’ll feel like losing half of my soul.
“It’s okay. So, are we all set for the fifteenth?”
I nod. “Did you ask Lizzie if she wants to be a witness?”
“Yes. She said I didn’t have to ask because it’s the best friend law that she gets to be one. Are you asking one of your friends?”
“I thought I’d ask Enoch or Nathan.”
“Are you okay with Harper and Kinsley being there, too? Kinsley told me it was illegal for them tonotbe included since they’re my only family. She’s convinced me to get us all new dresses for the day, too.”
“Kinsley’s a feisty one, isn’t she? Yeah, they can come for sure. I’m going to reach out to my siblings and ask if they want to come, too, but I don’t know if they’ll be willing to go behind my mom’s back.”
“Yeah, Harper may be the one in theatre, but you’d never know it because Kins has all the drama. I hope your siblings come.”
