Eventually, we got onto playing pool, though I couldn’t look at Kate or Lissa without blushing for the rest of the night. But it was fun and heartwarming to see Kate and Lissa so happy together. It was obvious from their expressions, glances, and gestures that they were really in love with each other. It was silly, but I was prideful, and maybe a little arrogant, that I helped them get to where they were. Their relationship started as precipitously as Wesley’s and mine. If Lissa hadn’t made the first move, would they be together?
Wesley came up and hugged me from behind after the third game and I knew how lucky I was to have a man strong enough, brave enough, and confident enough to make the first move. I was indebted to him forever, and I was just fine with that.
Chapter 37
“Hey, babe. I’m home,” Wesley said, walking in the front door.
“Hi! How are you? How was work?” I asked, leaning back in the kitchen chair. I stretched my arms over my head and inadvertently yawned.
“Good. Busy as hell, though,” he answered, taking off his coat and hanging it on the hook behind the door. “At least it made the time go by fast. How about you? How was your psych final?” he asked and kissed the top of my head.
“I think I did pretty good,” I answered, relaxing as he rubbed my shoulders.
I was almost done with finals; I just had my calc test left. I was sick of studying and with Christmas only three days away, I couldn’t concentrate on anything.
“Have you eaten yet?” Wesley asked, opening two buttons of his navy work shirt.
“No, I was waiting for you,” I said, looking back to my calc book on the kitchen table. “What do you want?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll make dinner. You just keep on studying,” he said, opening the freezer and looking in.
“I thought maybe we could just get a pizza.”
“I don’t think I have any cash,” he said, closing the freezer and pulling coins from his pocket. “Nope, just eighty-two cents.”
“I’ve got cash,” I said, staring blankly at the textbook.
“All right. Pepperoni okay?” he asked, picking up the phone and taking a pizza menu off the fridge.
I nodded and listened while Wesley ordered the pizza. It would take about twenty minutes, so Wesley hopped in the shower while we waited. I yawned again and stared at my calc book; I couldn’t concentrate anymore. I took several deep breaths and refocused my attentions to the matter at hand—but I needed to do some laundry tonight; I didn’t think I had any clean work pants. I sighed as my mind wandered to everything except math.
Wesley got out of the shower and came into the living room without a shirt on. I was beginning to think he did that on purpose, knowing full well that I couldn’t keep my eyes off his naked chest. But I took a deep breath and returned my gaze to the calc problems in front of me. The doorbell rang and Wesley happily answered it with a growling stomach and no shirt.
“Hi. How ya doin’? It’ll be eleven sixty-four,” the pizza man greeted.
“Oh yeah,” Wesley said, thumping his head. “Hey babe, you got the money?” Wesley called to me, feeling his empty pockets.
“Oh, here,” I said, pulling a twenty from my pocket and handing it to the cute delivery boy. He looked at me, then at Wesley, and fumbled with the change as Wesley took the pizza into the kitchen. “Oh, six in change is enough,” I added and got a five and a one in return.
Wesley was getting plates out and I went over and punched his arm. “Don’t answer the door without a shirt! Now, go get dressed before you catch a cold,” I scolded.
“Why? He was kinda cute. Do you think he would’ve went for it if I said I didn’t have any money?” Wesley asked.
“You’re mine and I wouldn’t let you prostitute yourself for pizza. Now go put on a shirt,” I said, pulling two slices onto a plate.
Wesley put on a T-shirt and we sat down at the kitchen table to eat. He looked over the problems I’d done, pulling the textbook closer as he ate his pizza. I watched him as he reviewed the chapter, and I wondered again why he didn’t want to go to college. He would be a great engineer and, with a degree, any car company would be lucky to have him. However, he was loyal to Gus and the shop and we already knew that Wesley would get 50 percent ownership when Gus retired. I smiled and sipped my soda and realized again that I was in love with a truly remarkable man.
“Geez, I can’t believe Christmas is only three days away,” Wesley said, leaning back in the chair and patting his full belly.
“I know. This month has flown by,” I agreed, picking up the empty plates and dropping them in the sink.
“So, did you get my Christmas present?”
“Yeah,” I said, sitting down again and pulling my textbook closer. “And you’re gonna love it!” I said, picking up my pencil and brushing my hand over my notebook. I was really excited about his gift; he didn’t ask for it, but he had been dropping very subtle hints.
“What is it?” he asked plainly.
“I’m not telling,” I answered, just as plainly.
“Do you have to work tomorrow?”
“Yeah, and on Christmas Eve till five. Well, we close at five. But, remember, we’re going to my mom’s around seven,” I said, looking at the papers in front of me and trying to remember where I left off. Wesley nodded and I looked at him for a long moment. “Are you gonna drop by your parents’ house on Christmas Eve?” I asked
