Thursday, August 23
(Scout)
I hear his sleepy voice before I see him. "If you aren't a sight for sore eyes." When I look up from my desk, Gus is holding a vase of red roses and wearing an exhausted, but content smile.
"I could say the same. Hi, babe." God, even with dark circles under his eyes he's still gorgeous.
He sets the vase down on my desk and then wraps me up in a hug that feels like he's put up walls to the world outside and it's only us inside. My face is pressed into his T-shirt and I close my eyes and inhale him. Not just his manly scent, but ... him. All of him. "I've missed you so much."
He kisses my forehead. "Not as much as I've missed you, sweetheart."
When I look up at him, his eyes meet mine. "You're early."
"Caught an earlier connecting flight in New York. I had someone I couldn't wait to see. I asked the pilot to fly the plane faster, too." The way he's grinning, I have no doubt he really did.
I kiss him once and I have to remind myself that I'm at work, surrounded by people. People that I'm sure are watching us right now.
I whisper in Gus's ear, "Is everyone staring at us?"
He answers, not lowering his voice. "Every move we make. It should be pretty exciting for them by the time I get to third base."
I can't hold it in and burst out laughing.
"I've missed that laugh."
I kiss him just below his ear before I let him go. "You need to get home and sleep."
"With you, yes." He raises his eyebrows for emphasis.
"Did you take a cab here?"
He nods.
"You can take my car home. I'll ride home with Audrey. I'd cut out early and go with you, but we have a meeting with a big client this afternoon."
We're walking out the back door to the parking lot now. "We could have sex in the car."
"The meeting starts in ten minutes."
"I'm killer under pressure." If he didn't look so tired, I'd believe him. Hell, I believe him anyway.
I kiss him at my car.
He grabs my ass.
"Thanks for the flowers. They're beautiful."
He's behind the wheel now, starting the engine. "Like you. I'm gonna go get crazy comatose for a few hours. I'll be all rested up for you tonight. I'm gonna put your marathon running stamina to the test again. Put your panties in your purse before you come home."
I wink. "Already done. Now go home and snuggle Spare Ribs, she's missed you."
My stamina was put to the test. It's one o'clock in the morning. Gus is holding me and I'm lying with my head on his chest.
"I love San Diego sex," he says. He's running his fingertips up and down my arm.
"Me too. I think it's my favorite," I answer.
"Only one thing would make it better."
I take the bait. "What's that?"
"Doing it in our own bed. In our own place."
I pull off his chest and lay my head on the pillow next to him. It's a full moon outside and I can see his face in the light coming in through the window. I think I know what he's getting at, but I want to make sure. I want to hear him to say it.
"I'm moving out. I want you to come with me." He's as serious as I've ever seen him.
"You want to live with me?"
He nods. "Every single day. What do you say?"
I nod. "I say yes."
He kisses me on the tip of my nose. "I say thank you."
Friday, August 31
(Scout)
The past week has been insane. Everything happened at once.
Keller got a teaching job here in San Diego. He starts next week.
Gus flew to Minneapolis and helped Keller and Stella drive his car and a moving truck back here and we helped them get set up in an apartment nearby.
Eric moved in with Audrey and started his job at the hospital.
Paxton moved into the dorms at San Diego State. He starts classes Monday.
And Gus and I moved into a small house on the beach not far from Audrey's. We signed a six month lease. Gus wants to buy a house, but I'm scared to spend the money. I'm not scared of making a commitment with him; I'm just scared of the financial obligation. I'm working on courage in all areas of my life so I know he'll win eventually. He always does. I can't say no to him.
Saturday, October 20
(Scout)
"Remember when we met and you hated me?" he asks. It's dark outside, and we're sitting on a chaise lounge on the deck of our new place. I'm settled comfortably between his legs with my back resting against his chest. We're eating saltines and peanut butter and drinking grape juice.
"I didn't hate you. I just didn't really like anyone back then. It was nothing personal. I didn't know what good men were like."
"We've come a long way, Girl Scout." He's reminiscing. Gus is a deep guy. He thinks through everything with his heart.
"We have." That's an understatement. "I'm a completely different person thanks to you."
"Do you ever step back from your life and ask, How in the hell did I get here? How did I get so lucky?"
I rub his thigh with my palm. "Every minute of every day, babe. I never dreamt I'd have someone like you to love. Who'd love me back."
"Scout?" He kisses the back of my head. It's a loving gesture that I feel all the way down to my toes.