by Tl Reeve
I find a fold-out chair and sit reading while they do what’s needed. When they finish, I close up the house and go home, taking a nap before work for the first time ever. I’m quickly learning how my house can be a sanctuary as opposed to just the place where I lay my head every night.
I walk into work nervously. The more I think about it, the more doubt enters my mind about doing it.
“When are you going to ask him?” Tina gives me a small shove in Cameron’s direction. “You want to do it before Dominic comes in, don’t you?”
I grimace. “I don’t know if I want to do this or not. It just doesn’t feel right.”
“Exactly.” She steps back from me, crossing her arms.
“What?”
“When I supported it, I wanted you to realize you don’t need to kiss another guy. If his kiss means that much to you, then you don’t need to experiment. At all.” She smiles, patting my shoulder.
“You’re not that much older than me, and you have all this life experience. How?” I ask.
We both look in the empty dining room to see if anyone has arrived. When we find it’s still empty, we turn back to each other.
“I had a large family. Circumstances. I got pregnant when I was seventeen and had to get married. Luckily, I loved my husband then and still do now. He loves me and wanted to marry me. He told me that the night before the wedding.”
A dreamy smile comes over her face. I can’t wait until I get to that point. Hopefully, it’ll be with Dominic.
Dominic
By the time I arrive at the restaurant for dinner, my nerves are shot. I’m leaning on my cane, worried about what happened before I got here. The restaurant is empty, and Tina materializes at the door and seats me.
I look around. “Where’s Maia?”
“She’ll be out in a moment. She’s finishing some work. What would you like to drink?”
I give her my drink order and open the menu. She disappears through the door, and I look around, not finding Maia. Where is she?
Maia walks out the door, carrying my drink. She looks at me and smiles as she makes her way over to me, setting my drink down in front of me.
“Hi.”
“Hi. How did it go?” I ask.
“How did what go?”
I frown. “Quit messing with me. What happened?”
“I didn’t do it.” She shrugs. “I couldn’t.”
The weight that was pushing me down suddenly disappears. A sense of relief fills my body. “You couldn’t?”
“When it came down to it, I’ve come to the conclusion you’re the only one I want to kiss. I know kissing anyone else wouldn’t be the same as kissing you. It would just be a waste of my time. So I didn’t do it.” She sits down across from me.
I reach across, grabbing her hand. We sit quietly until she asks me what I want to eat. I order, suddenly ravenously hungry. When I’ve finished eating and she gets off from work, I walk her out and follow her home. Happy.
7
Maia
The next couple of weeks are very busy. We have dinner and go dancing with Tina and her husband. We have a great time. I learn how to dance and love how much fun it is. Tina and I dance the night away, while our men watched. They get along great, which I’m happy about because we can do more couple things.
The redecorating of the house is going wonderfully and is almost done. They had to primer the walls a second time due to the darkness of the paint, but they look amazing now. Tomorrow, the furniture will be moved in and I’ll be able to bring Dominic to see it. He told me he didn’t want to see anything until it was finished. It speaks of his trust in me, and that warms my heart like nothing else.
He takes me for a walk on the beach, although it’s too cold to go into the water. We are able to have a picnic and sit under the sunny sky. There are a lot of people with the same idea we had, but it’s still as if we’re in our own little world.
Tina and I go Christmas shopping, and I buy a couple of gifts for Dominic. I’m nervous because I’ve never shopped for anyone before. There was never an opportunity or if there might have been, I didn’t have the money. We don’t even have a gift exchange at work. Tina assures me that he’ll love what I got for him.
“Ready to go?” Dom kisses me on the forehead.
I nod, nervously. He picks up our bags.
“You’ll be just fine. Don’t be so nervous.”
I give him a small smile, following him out the door, locking it behind me.
“What if she doesn’t like me? I ask as we ride down in the elevator. I pick at the seam of my scarf.
“She’ll love you. You don’t have to worry about anything. They’ll all love you.”
He pries my fingers off the scarf, lacing my fingers with his. We reach the bottom floor of the elevator, and he lets my hand go, picking up our luggage. We walk outside to the waiting Uber.
When we reach the airport, my hands are sweating for another reason. This is my first plane ride. We check in, and Dom holds my hand, looking at me indulgently.
“You’ll be fine. Flying is safer than driving.”
“Then why don’t we live in the air?” I question.
Dominic leans over and kisses me on the temple. “Babe, it’ll be fine. I’m right here with you. You have nothing to worry about.”
He reassures me until it’s time to get on the plane. I see a child who looks about six years old, getting on the plane like a pro. I take a deep breath. If he can do it, so can I.
Dominic got us first-class tickets, because he wants me to be comfortable on my first flight. We’re two of the first people to board the plane. We find our seats, and he puts our carryon luggage in the bins above the seats before settling in beside me.
“You look better.” He hooks his seatbelt.
“I saw that kid getting on the plane like he’s done it a dozen times. I figured that I shouldn’t act like a baby anymore.”
I look up at him after clicking myself into my seat. We quietly watch as people file through into the area behind us.
“You’ve spoiled me. I probably won’t ever be able to fly coach,” I tell him.
He leans down and kisses me. “I’ll always fly you first class. You deserve it.”
I smile and settle back in the seat.
After everyone has made it onto the plane, the pilot announces takeoff. My nerves spike again when the plane starts moving. Dominic must notice, because he grabs my hand and turns toward me. He leans down and places his lips on mine, deepening the kiss immediately. I sink into the kiss, forgetting everything around me, and he doesn’t pull back until we’re in the air.
I suck in some much-needed air and look out the window. We’re already in the air.
“See, that wasn’t bad at all, was it?” Dom says.
I turn back to him, smiling. “Not at all. I need travel with you all the time. You’ve locked yourself in now.”
He kisses me again. “I have no objection to that.”
The two-and-a-half-hour flight goes quickly, and before I know it we’re landing. After we get off the plane and get our luggage, we go to the rental car counter. Dominic wants us to have time alone to do some things while we’re there.
We pull up outside a large white house in Oakbrook. Dominic turns in to the driveway, and a woman walks out the front door, hurrying over to us. I’m happy that Dominic made me buy a coat, because it’s super cold here. I wait as he comes around and opens the door for me, helping me out.
The woman walks directly over to me and engulfs me in a hug. “Hi! I’m Lisa, Dom’s sister. You must be Maia! It’s so nice to meet you.”
A man comes out the door, heading our way. She looks at him and grabs my hand, leading me inside. “That’s my husband. You can meet him after they bring your luggage inside.”
She pulls me up the stairs to a bedroom. I look at the modern setting. The mattress is set inside a silver frame, hanging from the ceiling. The matching silver cover is tucked inside. The white sheets a
nd pillow set off the look. There’s a dresser and chest of drawers, as well as night tables in the same color.
Lisa laughs at my gawking. “The bed doesn’t move. Take off your coat, then we’ll go downstairs to the kitchen and have some coffee, hot chocolate or hot tea. Whichever one you like.”
I remove my coat and follow her downstairs. I smile, because she and Dominic are two different personalities. Where Dominic is more somber like me, she’s outgoing and talkative.
We walk into the kitchen, and she seats me at the counter before walking around it. “What’s your preference? I know you want something hot, because it’s so cold outside.”
“Hot chocolate, please,” I say.
“I like hot chocolate too. Dominic likes hot tea, so I’ll make him some of that.”
I smile again, because she sounds like she’s had a few cups of coffee. Dom and her husband walk into the kitchen.
“This is Gary, my husband. Our kids will be home in about another hour. You’ll meet them then.”
My lips tilt even more at her constant chatter.
“It’s nice to meet you.” Gary’s eyes are amused as he reaches out to shake my hand. “She’s not normally like this. She’s just really excited to meet you.”
Dom’s arm comes around my waist and he kisses my temple. “She’ll calm down in a little bit.”
Lisa sets my hot chocolate in front of me. “I’m sorry. Dom has never brought anyone , and I’m a little nervous about meeting you.”
“This is my first time meeting someone’s family, so I’m nervous too,” I reassure her.
“You’ve never met anyone’s family before?” She frowns.
I shake my head. “I’ve never had a boyfriend before.” I dip my head, then look at Dom red-faced. “If that’s what we are.”
Dom tilts my head up, kissing me. “That’s what we are.”
A warm feeling fills my chest, and a smile graces my face.
Lisa sets the hot tea in front of Dom, and Gary picks up a cup of coffee off the counter, taking a sip. I take a sip of my hot chocolate, savoring the rich flavor.
“We’re going to take you to Giordano’s for dinner tonight. It’s Dom’s favorite, and the kids will love it.” Lisa takes a sip of her hot chocolate.
“Giordano’s?” I ask.
“Chicago-style pizza. The only kind that should be served.” Dom’s hand rubs my waist.
“What about New York-style pizza?” Gary asks.
“Not real pizza. Takes more to fill you up,” Dom tells him.
“You’ll have to be the tie-breaker, Maia.” Lisa motions to me with her cup.
“Why me? Can’t you be the tie-breaker?”
Lisa laughs. “I’ve tried, but I like them both, so I can’t make up my mind. The kids won’t get into the middle of it, so it’s up to you.”
My lips turn down at the corners. “I don’t know if I want to get into the middle of it either. This will be my first time having Chicago-style pizza. What’s different about it?”
Dom’s arm tightens around my waist, “You’ll see. It’s the best pizza in the world!”
“Enough about pizza. We need to get to know you better. How did you meet Dom?” Lisa asks.
I dip my head before answering. “He came into the restaurant where I work. He was sitting in another section, and the waitress was incompetent. She kept getting his order wrong, so I ended up fixing it for him and got him a free meal. After that, he always sat in my section and we talked while he ate dinner.”
“How did it get from there to a relationship?” Gary asks.
“I asked him to have Thanksgiving dinner with me.” I feel the red creeping up my cheeks.
Lisa laughs. “I’m glad you did, or he would have never gotten past the conversation.”
“I was actually walking her to her car every night, thank you very much,” Dom says.
Lisa and Gary laugh, and I join in.
“You walked me to my car for three months. Would you ever have asked me out?” I look up and grin at him.
He tickles my side, and I giggle. “I was waiting to make sure you would say yes. I heard about the cook asking you out. They were talking about how you turned him down. I was sure I didn’t have a chance.”
“I’m glad I asked you to dinner, then.” I cross my arms.
“I am too.” He kisses my temple.
We spend the rest of the afternoon getting to know each other. I’m introduced to the children when they come home, and then we go out to dinner.
Dom takes me on a tour of Chicago. We walk through the Navy Pier and do a little shopping. I enjoy the ride on the water taxis, and Dom promises me a dinner cruise the next time we come.
Lisa insists on taking me to the aquarium. Dom grumbles but agrees. We spend the day talking. I notice she wants to ask me something but seems hesitant.
“Go ahead and ask,” I say after we sit down with something to drink.
She looks up at me, startled. “How did you know?”
“I wait tables for a living. I read people well.” I take a sip of my drink and sit back, waiting for her to ask.
She sighs. “I want to know how you really feel about Dom. I don’t want him to get hurt.” She leans toward me expectantly.
I close my eyes. It’s time. “I love him. He makes me feel so good inside. I lived a lonely life before I met him, so I had to really examine my feelings.” I open my eyes and look at her, so she knows I’m serious when I say this to her. “Every time I experience something new, he’s the first person I want to call and tell about it. When I experience something with him, it’s the greatest feeling in the world. His kiss fills my soul with happiness. His smile makes me complete. I can’t see my life without him in it anymore.”
Her shoulders slump and her eyes smile at me. “I’m glad. I just want the best for him. He’s had such a hard time since the robbery. Did he tell you about that?”
I nod.
“Did he tell you about what happened afterward? It took him a year to come out of the depression our parents dying put him in. He had to watch them die while he was able to live on. One of them was shot in the head and the other in the heart. I see the way he looks at you. The way he can’t keep his hands to himself when you’re near. I’m sure he would give up on life if anything happened between the two of you.” She leans forward, putting her hand in mine.
“If anything happens to us, it won’t be because of me. I would be devastated if we broke up. He owns my heart.” I frown at the thought.
She sits back with a smile on her face, satisfied. “That settles that. Let’s walk around some more. I haven’t gotten to see the jellyfish yet.”
We spend the rest of the time at the aquarium chatting as we watch the different species of undersea creatures swim around.
After Dom texts me for the fifth time, we decide to go back to the house. Dom meets us at the door and sweeps me in an all-encompassing kiss. He pulls back and sprinkles small kisses back to my ear.
“I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” I pull back from him, “You know there’ll be times when we’ll have to be apart, right?”
He lifts me and carries me up the stairs. Over his shoulder, I see the amused expression on Lisa’s face.
He sits me down on the bed, inside our room. He settles beside me, holding my hand. “Maia, I know we’ll do things separately. But right now, we’re just starting out, and I’m selfish. I want you all to myself.”
I get on my knees on the bed, so I can look him in the eye. I notice he’s rubbing his leg, so carrying me up the stairs must have irritated it.
“I want you all to myself too,” I say, “but we have to adjust. I missed you the whole time I was with Lisa. When you’re not with me, I miss your touch.” I run a finger down the side of his face. “Your smile…” I rub my thumb across his bottom lip. “Your kiss.” I place my lips on his.
He tries to deepen the kiss, but I pull back.
“You’re on my mind
every minute of every day. I’m thankful for the day you came into my life.” I see his face relax.
He leans forward, catching my lips with his again. His lips move against mine, and I follow his lead. He pulls back and buries his face in my neck.
“Thank you.”
“What for?”
“Being you.”
We hold each other like we never want to let go.
Dominic
I watch her as she sleeps, her face relaxed. I smile. No matter how much we tried to sway her, she wouldn’t solve the Chicago- vs. New York-style pizza debate. She said she’s never been to New York to have their pizza, so she can’t make an objective decision.
Tomorrow, I plan to take her to my favorite place here before we get on the plane. I used to spend hours there after our parents died. No one knew about it except for the people who worked there. As my leg healed, I was able to go up and look out through the glass, over the city, and try to reconcile myself to parent’s death.
I go every time I visit now, because it reminds me to cherish the family I have left. My sister, her husband and their children. And now Maia. I softly touch my lips to hers, and she puckers a little before turning over. I pull her to me, closing my eyes.
8
Maia
“Your name means ‘warrior’,” Lisa’s daughter states while we eat breakfast.
“It does.” I raise my eyebrows as I take a bite of my eggs.
She nods. “I looked it up last night. You must be able to survive anything.”
“My mom told me that’s why she gave me my name. She told me it was to remind me that I can get through any situation and I can champion any cause,” I tell her.
“What cause are you championing now?” she asks.
I swallow. “A couple. The first one is finally living my life to the fullest, and the second one is navigating a relationship.”
I look up and smile at Dom. He squeezes my leg under the table.
“What are you doing before you leave? Are we at least going to get to have lunch together?” Lisa asks.