She gets comfortable in her seat before asking, “So, what do they know about Katy?”
Chewing my Skittles, I swallow them down sooner than I should’ve. “Not much, to be honest. We met at the pet store last month, when we were both buying toys and treats for our pets. They think she is sweet and generous. I usually avoid questions about her and change the subject. Because she was kind of all of those things, but really, she was a cheating and lying bitch. But I’d rather my family not think those things about you. I know I should have told them that we broke up. But it’s too late to back out now.” She laughs.
I look over to her, and her shoulders are turned to me as she listens.
“That’s all they know? I’m sorry about her being a cheating and lying bitch, by the way,” Kat says, emphasizing my words.
“That’s it. And, yeah, it’s all right. Thank God I’m not with her anymore.” I pour more Skittles into my mouth.
Kat peeks into the backseat, checking on Muffin, who is sound asleep in her car seat. “She really is Princess Muffin.”
I giggle. “Yeah, she is.”
During the next hour, I cover all of the basic info about me and my family that she might want to know. My birthday is April 19. My brother is twenty-four, one year older than me. My brother is married and his wife is great. My mom is a total sweetheart who wants nothing more in this life than to be loved by those she loves. My dad is so selfless and puts everyone in our family before him.
I share funny and happy stories that come to mind and answer any questions she might have, ending on the one about my brother and sister-in-law, who are trying to have their first baby. Leading us to the current conversation that is not usually had on a “first date.”
“Do you want kids?” Kat asks me as she eats a handful of chips.
I sigh and bite my lip. “I do; I do. But I really, truly hate the idea of being pregnant. The thought makes me uncomfortable. I don’t know why. It’s just how I’ve always been. Some girls dream of being a mom one day with every step that gets them there. But I want to skip all of the in-between and just have the baby. So, I guess, if I do ever have kids, I would want to adopt or have a surrogate.”
Kat stays quiet longer than I expect her to. But as I turn to her, she is sitting there, just staring at me.
“Sorry. I just … I feel the exact same way. I always dreaded the day Nic would want to start having kids because he never wanted to adopt. And I doubt he would’ve liked the idea of a surrogate altogether.”
My fists tighten on the wheel when I hear her talk about Nic. He sounds like an asshole who only ever thinks of himself and cares absolutely little about Kat when Kat should be the reason behind all he does.
“I’m sorry if this isn’t my place, Kat, but you deserve better than that,” I say hesitantly.
She laughs, which is very unexpected, and says, “Trust me, I know. But Nic is all I’ve ever really known aside from little girlfriends or boyfriends in high school. But those don’t really count. Sometimes, it’s hard to think about life without him. But I think life with him would be worse, you know? Sorry, I don’t mean to keep unloading on you. It is totally not your weight to carry.”
“Please, please stop saying you’re sorry for anything. You don’t have to apologize for sharing your feelings with me. I feel honored that you are opening up to me. You should never apologize for expressing yourself, love,” I say, trying to hide my answer toward Nic for clearly giving her the insecurity of speaking.
She is looking at me with something I haven’t seen from her yet—vulnerability. “Thank you. I liked that one, by the way.”
“What do you me—” I hadn’t even meant to call her love; it just came out naturally. “Are you sure you don’t want to go with something likeDaddy? OrMommy? Or my beloved?”
She bursts out laughing, clearly not expecting the change of tune in our conversation. “Absolutely not. And especially not in front of your family!” She slaps my arm lightly, and I wish she would do it again.
Peeking at her from the corner of my eye, I can’t help but smile at how cute she is. Her smooth brown hair is loose and wild from the wind, but I don’t want her to fix it. I like the crazy look. It resembles after-sex hair, which is not a bad look on her at all.
“Fine, fine. Love it is. What is yours for me then?” I ask, feeling more nervous than I should.
She grabs a Twizzler, whipping it in the air as she speaks. “Ooh, what about baby? Or baby girl? Or honeybunch?”
I look at her with disgust. “And you said I was bad at this. You’re so much worse. Just call me babe. Easy enough.”
“Okay, babe.” She says it so smoothly and with ease, like she’s been calling me babe for years. It might be one of my new favorite sounds. Right next to her laugh. “Let’s talk about boundaries. Your family is obviously going to expect to see some form of affection and PDA from us to really believe it. So, I’m comfortable with touching, hand-holding, hugs, and cheek kisses, and if the moment really needs it, then I’m fine with a kiss on the lips too. How does that sound?”
My heart is racing as I think of getting to touch her, hold her, kiss her. I wonder what she tastes like.Noelle!
“Yep. Yes, all sounds good!” The words fumble out of my mouth.
“Perfect. Would you be okay if I try to get a little nap in before we get there? I’m so tired,” she asks.
“Of course, love,” I say effortlessly, smirking.
“Thanks, babe,” she whispers.
