Page 63 of Choosing a Forever
Tal’s eyes go wide. “Oh, sh-shit.They’re totally going to do that.” He tilts his head in thought before shrugging. “Oh, well. I can’t change it now, can I? They’re going to talk no matter what. Their opinions on how I live my life don’t matter.”
“Tal! You swore!” I gasp. “First the garments, then grocery shopping on a Sunday, and now swearing?” I shake my head, but I can’t stop the small smile. “Who even are you right now?”
His smile is so wide, so proud, it makes my heart beat a little faster. I want to kiss him.
“I guess becoming your husband was the first step to becoming who I want to be. I always knew great things would come from being married to you.”
With that nugget of praise, he continues shopping as if he didn’t just dislodge another brick from the wall around my heart.
Chapter 23
Talmage
15 years old…
This is it. The last big event before the last day of school.
I never thought I’d dread a dance, but something about it is making me feel like it’s the end of more than just the school year.
Not me and Mack, obviously. We’re solid.
She looks gorgeous in a fifties style, black dress. She has a little gray silk jacket over it which matches my tie—unintentionally.
Mack’s been a little sad after finding out she wasn’t cast in the musical with me and some of our friends. She’s been trying to put on a brave face, but there’s an inherent sadness surrounding her.
I’m hoping they play our song again, and it’ll bring a smile to her face.
I’m nervous to leave her this summer, but I need the money I’ll make from working at the camp to save up to go on my mission, so I couldn’t turn it down when I got in.
I know I won’t forget her after the present she gave me.
I just hope she doesn’t forget me.
She’ll be at a few different camps with other guys. What if one of them grabs her attention? What if she finds someone she likes more than me? Someone willing to do more than just kiss her?
I have to believe that won’t be the case. That she’s as committed to this—to us—as I am. She hasn’t given me any reason to think otherwise.
When we got home after grocery shopping—where Iinsistedon paying even though she argued she had the money—I started meal prepping for the week.
Cutting up vegetables and putting them in individual snack containers for easy access, marinating the steak for our dinner tonight, and mixing up some overnight oats.
Mack says she’s never had overnight oats, but they’re an easy, hearty breakfast I hope she and the twins will like. I don’t want to sound judgmental, but there’s no way they’re staying full very long with only a bowl of cereal in the morning.
I insisted on making vegetable and steak skewers tonight so we can have a proper meal with the twins, so I’ve been cutting up zucchini and onions while the wooden skewers soak in warm water.
I want to grill them, but Mack’s never touched the grill—her words, not mine—so we don’t know if it even works. She doesn’t remember the last time her dad usedit, so it could be housing a family of squirrels for all we know. I plan to check it out as soon as I’m done chopping the vegetables.
“Really, Tal, this is too much. The girls will be fine with a frozen lasagna or spaghetti or—hell—even turkey sandwiches.”
I give her aget reallook. “We’re celebrating! You all deserve a good, home cooked meal you don’t have to do any work for, so quit arguing with me and let me feed you, please.”
“I’m perfectly capable of making a good meal,” she grumbles.
I gently set down my knife and round the counter to where she’s standing with her arms crossed defensively.
I hesitate to wrap her in a hug, but the desire to comfort her and feel her in my arms wins out. I wrap my arms around her shoulders and rest my head against hers.
“You’ve been taking care of everyone else for so long, Firefly. It’s time you let someone else take care of you.” I pull back, and she tips her chin up so we’re eye to eye. We’re so close, it would take nothing at all to lean in and kiss her.
