Page 54 of Yours, Forever


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"I accept the challenge and all it entails, Miss Moore. I aim to please." He slips a hand to the small of my back and pulls me in close, leaving me gasping with a devastating kiss. "Get ready. I've already got ideas."

"Yes, sir," I mumble, a little stunned. This is going to be amazing.

After a whirlwind afternoon of visiting bakeries, little shops tucked into basements of gigantic buildings, and both of us chickening out from visiting the Medieval Torture Museum, we're on the hunt for dinner. Considering it's Friday and Valentine's all rolled into one, every upscale restaurant turns us away at the door. Right, reservations. Those are usually required for romantic holidays.

Dustin looks a little stressed as yet another sushi restaurant apologetically informs us they're full. I lay a hand on his arm and smile up at him. "Hey, it's fine. I sprung this on you. What's your favorite hole in the wall?"

"Are you sure?" He grimaces. "It's… a karaoke bar."

"What! Seriously? Oh, my god, where? We're going.Immediately." I bounce on the balls of my feet. I have to see this. Dustin singing? Does he sing? I'm going to make him sing.

"Am I going to regret this?"

"Almost certainly."

He sighs and takes my hand, leading me down streets and alleys, turning corners until we're near the southern edge of the Loop. Walking around Chicago really makes me understand why it's colloquially called the SecondCity. It's got a similar vibe to Manhattan with all its skyscrapers and sidewalks full of people minding their own business. I like it quite a bit.

"There," Dustin announces. On the ground floor of a skyscraper hangs a neon sign in the shape of a martini glass.

I pick up the pace with Dustin hustling along after me. The bar has a speakeasy vibe, dark and cozy. I immediately see why Dustin likes it. A group of men are singing a cheesy song from the early 2000s while a cluster of women (I assume, their dates) cackle at the spectacle. A smile breaks across my face, and I can tell my cheeks are going to hurt from smiling so much.

"Listen, it's got good drinks but not much in the way of food. Pizza only." He looks worried. "Is that okay?"

"Oh, honey. This is perfect."

One exceedingly greasy pizza and several drinks later, I pull Dustin up to the mic with me and request the cheesiest love ballad on the list. My incredible boyfriend, good sport that he is, doesn't know the song at all but puts on a great show with hip-wiggling dance moves to compensate. The small crowd laughs and cheers, clapping as I finish the song on an extended high note and an overexaggerated bow.

"You guys did great!"

"Seriously awesome!"

"That was so fun!"

The other bargoers compliment us on the way back to our seats, and we laugh out our thanks. This is, quite honestly, the most perfect Valentine's date I've ever been on. Dustin's blush extends to his ears as we slide back onto the bar stools.

"Did you have fun, baby?" he asks.

"Are you kidding?" I shriek. "Can we go again?"

"Maybe after I've had another drink. Or seven."

"That's a deal if I've ever heard one," I laugh.

And we do go again. We trade off with the other groups throughout the night, drinking and singing, laughing and loving. This is more fun than any date Calvin and I ever had in our years of marriage. This is more fun than Janine and I drinking in her apartment. This is incredible. This is the best date I've had in my life, Valentine's or not.

Once the bartender tells us it's last call, I realize how exhausted I am. And drunk. I can't believe the flight to Chicago was only this morning, and I've been going all day. Dustin realizes I'm flagging and whips out his phone to get us a ride home. We're only a few blocks from his condo, but I don't think I could make the trek.

That's what I love about him. Well, one of the things I love about him. He anticipates my needs before I can open my mouth. He listens, he pays attention, and he's perfect. I know I've been less than perfect to him, especially in college, but I'm going to make it up to him. Even if it takes the rest of our lives.

Yeah, I'm in this for the long haul. And I couldn't be happier.

Dustin

"UncleDusty!"

Tiny voices yank me from my sleep, and I unconsciously let out a groan. Cracking open an eye, I see it's nearly noon. Brooke jolts awake next to me.

"What the hell was that?" she whispers.