Wrapping one arm over his legs and the other around his back, I held him tight and just waited as his muscles slowly relaxed. When he was feeling more like the cuddly man I’d had dinner with, he looked up and smiled hesitantly.
“I have something to show you.”
“I can’t wait to see it.”
His smile grew more confident, and he kissed my cheek. “You really mean that, don’t you? No matter what I’m going to show you, even if it’s something silly like my third-grade school picture, you’re excited to see it.”
I laughed and hugged him close. “I’d love to see a picture of you when you were little, but yes, no matter what, I’m always interested in what you’re doing.” Kissing his cheek, I let my smile turn teasing. “Tell me there are pictures of a cute little Casey in a dress or all dolled up for a dance recital?”
He groaned and sagged back into the arm of the couch. “I’ve created a monster.”
“Yes, you have.” There was no denying that now. But it also had the desired effect of making him smile as the stress left him. “Now where’s the dance recital picture? Don’t think I missed the fact that you didn’t deny it.”
His eyes widened, and he shook his head frantically. Oh, there were good pictures of a cute little Casey somewhere.
“Come on, you can tell me.” I gave him my best innocent expression. “I won’t even show anyone else.” I crossed my heart. “Not even Eli.”
Casey groaned and reached out and grabbed the tablet off the table, mumbling to himself. “Suddenly this doesn’t seem like such a bad idea.”
“Hey.” I tried to look hurt, but I had a feeling I’d failed when he giggled. “Are you saying that my wanting pictures of my cutie dressed up as a tree or little dancer is worse than whatever you’re going to show me?”
“Yes.” The absolute conviction in his voice made me laugh, and I teased, “You know I’ll find them one day. No matter how long it takes. Five years down the road, you’ll come home from work and I’ll have them spread out on the table so I can see you in the tutu you wore when you were three.”
I knew how that sounded as soon as it came out, but I refused to let anything but happiness and confidence show on my face. Casey’s eyes widened, but he didn’t say anything about my easy mention of our future. Swallowing loudly, he nodded and then seemed to force the thoughts from his head because he took a deep breath and went back to his tablet.
“Um…yes…I…” Another deep breath gave him the time to get into the tablet and start pulling up something online.
It only took seconds until he carefully placed the tablet in my hands. “I wanted to show you…this.”
When I didn’t look down at the screen fast enough, he started to squirm. “It’s…they’re…it’s me.”
I knew exactly what he meant.
The blog.
My eyes stayed glued to his. “Are you sure you want me to look? I know how hard this is for you, and I don’t have to see it until you’re ready.”
He seemed slightly unsteady, but there was a conviction in his eyes that said he’d made up his mind. “Yes, I’m ready.”
Probably not, but I wasn’t going to deny him the chance to make this decision.
Leaning close, I kissed him tenderly. “Thank you.”
As I sat back against the couch, I pulled him back so he was cuddled against me again. Kissing his forehead, wanting to give him as much confidence as I could, I relaxed and looked down at the screen.
OMG
I was having lunch with my friend, the one who works for management guy, and another one of his coworkers came over. We’re going to call him DQ (drama queen lol) well DQ said that management guy had been in a terrible mood lately, overworking himself and things like that. But guess what??? Then DQ said that he was only pissy because he’d been single too long.
THEN HE LOOKED RIGHT AT ME.
Do you think he knows I like management guy? Do you think I should have said something? I can picture all of you nodding your heads and probably rolling your eyes. I should have at least smiled or something, but no, I just sat there like a moron.
I’ll say something next time. Hopefully, there is a next time.
One month until first date
