“It’s getting late isn’t it?”
He stood very still, “Is it bad I don’t want to leave?”
“Not at all. This place was so important to you growing up.”
“Yeah, but I don’t want to leave this,” he squeezed me slightly, “you here. It’s so special; I can’t tell you how this makes me feel.”
I swallowed hard. I thought through each scenario for a half a second. “Then let’s not go yet.”
He froze, weighing my words.
“We, could stay the night,” I took a breath, “together.”
His hands tensed as his mind processed everything I was saying and implying. He shook his head, “We don’t have to do this. This isn’t why I wanted you to come today, that isn’t what I was trying to make happen.”
I touched his lips with my finger, “I know.”
He softly took my hand away from his face. “Are you sure? We don’t have to. We can still stay, but...”
“I know, and Tyler I am fine. This is what I want.”
And it was. I could feel it as my mind registered my words.
“If you are 110% sure.”
I nodded.
“Ok, then we’ll stay.” He pulled me close and hugged me tightly, “But we have to eat something, I am starving.”
Food did sound good. I realized we hadn’t really eaten since leaving. Snacks but no real food.
“Yeah. I could definitely eat.”
“I’m going to get the woodstove started, and then we can go into town and find food.” He let go of me carefully, kissing the top of my head and walked out the back door.
I looked around the room. “I hope you are ok with me staying,” I whispered to no one. I went back to the table and re boxed up all the treasures we had uncovered but left the picture of the house on top of the box. I put the whole thing in the cupboard below the drawer that surely had held the linens. It didn’t feel right leaving it strewn across the table and it felt safer tucked away.
Tyler returned with an arm load of wood and started to get the woodstove lit. I took our empty cups to the kitchen and washed them, placing them back in the cupboard. Tyler’s arms wrapped around my waist. “You look good in this kitchen.”
I hit him with the dish towel. “Yeah? So, do you.”
He laughed, kissing my neck. “You hungry?”
“Starving.”
We ended up at a small burger place that seemed filled with young people. The wait staff didn’t look much older than the other customers. I wondered how long it would take before someone recognized Tyler.
“Ty? Damn, did they already kick you out?” An oversized round-faced boy walked over to the table. He wore his letterman’s jacket from last year, and it appeared that he may have filled out a little since he ordered it.
Tyler grinned widely, “Devo! Hey man, how’s it going?” He stood up to give him a bro hug, and slapped his shoulder, “Na, I’m just in town for the day.”
“Hey, you should come over to Nummy’s place. We’re getting together to hang out, watch some ESPN, have a couple beers.”
“Ahh, thanks man, but we’re driving back to campus as soon as we’re done with dinner. Got class in the morning.”
Devo finally noticed me sitting there, and I got a big smile, “I see. Hi there.”
“Devo this is my girlfriend Savanah. Savanah, this is Devo, we went to high school together.”
Really? High school, hmm, I never would have guessed. I smiled, “Nice to meet you.”
“Girlfriend?” Devo’s eyebrows raised. Wow.”
“Yes, my serious girlfriend,” Tyler put his hand back on his shoulder, but this time it looked more of like a warning to shut up, rather than a friendly greeting.
I blushed deeply. Serious girlfriend. Well, how about that. “Do you go to school around here?” I asked trying to be polite.
Devo looked uncomfortable, “Nah, I got a job, saving to go to school.”
“Oh, that’s great. Good for you. Where are you working at?”
He blushed, “Ah, just at the farm store.”
“That’s so smart.” They both looked at me. “Well you get to work out a little and get paid for it.”
Devo smiled wide, “Yeah that’s exactly right.”
They said their goodbyes and our waitress brought our drinks.
“That was really cool.”
I took a drink, “What was?”
“That. With Devo.”
“I was just being nice. I am not a complete social pariah,” I winked.
He rolled his eyes, “Well, I’m not sure about that.” He cocked his smile and let the one dimple show, “No, about his job and stuff. That was nice.”
I frowned. “Not everyone goes straight to college, not everyone even goes to college. They have to do their own thing.”
Tyler looked like he was going to say something but was interrupted.
“Oh my gosh! It’s really you!!! Ty!!! You’re back! Oh, damn you look good.” A tiny blonde was leaning over Tyler, hugging him, “Have you filled out? College looks good on you.”
Tyler pealed her off, “Alexis, how’s it going?”
“Good now. How long are you back for? Are you on a break?” Alexis just noticed me, sized me up and dismissed me in a split second.
“No, we were just up for the day, we’re heading back to campus after dinner.” He kept his eyes on me as he spoke. I beamed. I really liked the way he said we. He continued, “Alexis, I would like you to meet my girlfriend Savanah.”
I held my hand out just far enough that she had to reach for it. “It’s so nice to meet you. Did you go to school with Tyler?” She reached for it, and barely brushed it as a handshake.
Alexis
