Page 152 of When There Was You
I glance at said ring. “This is more than enough for me. I love it so much.”
“And you’re more than enough for me,” he says, carefully planting a kiss on my lips without touching me with his dirty mitts.
“You didn’t properly warn me about your sister,” I say, trailing him down the stairs and into the kitchen.
“Meaning?”
“She’s hell-bent on being our wedding planner.”
“Christ.” He squirts some Gojo on his hands and works in the degreaser. “Good luck calling off that dog.”
“Not even going to try.”
“Look at you, beautifulandbrains.”
“As if you didn’t already know that.”
He grins. “Like I said, lucky SOB.”
Emmy runs into the kitchen. “I literally have the best idea. Wanna hear it?”
“Can’t wait,” Butch answers.
“Ice cream. We should all go out for ice cream.”
Butch crouches down to meet her face to face. “And what have you done to deserve such a treat?”
She scoffs. “Exist.”
It’s right then, staring at these two individuals who’ve claimed my heart, that I know what to give Butch.
The next day,I pop into the corner pharmacy and read through dozens of greeting cards pertaining to love. Realizing the important part is my personal sentiment, I purchase a blank card with a deep scarlet front and silver embossed heart. Once home, I carefully print my message—ten little words that speak volumes—sign my name, then tuck it inside the envelope and place it on Butch’s pillow.
When we climb into bed later, he picks up the envelope. “What’s this?”
“Something for you,” I say, my pulse instantly racing.
He reads it. Reads it again. And again. He glances up, eyes watering. Swallows hard, his Adam’s apple undulating with the effort.
“Now you can throw the other one away,”I whisper.
We fall into each other’s arms as he crushes me to him, gripping me so tightly I almost can’t breathe. We share a meaningful kiss. He lies back, bringing me with him, and I snuggle into the crook of his arm. He holds the card aloft, reading it again, as do I, even though I know exactly what it says.
I love you and I want this life.
Forever yours,
Jacqui
Seventy-Four
As we flip the calendar to 1989, the future’s so bright, I’ve gotta wear shades, just like the song. Butch and I are getting married in October. The magazine I’ve worked so diligently on will launch its first three volumes, if all goes as planned. Emmy’s unfettered disposition continues, and Butch’s overprotectiveness relaxes more each month since her disappearance. Making a trip home to California stays on my mind, but with everything going on, I worry about taking a week off and it lands on the back burner.
Before I know it, it’s Major League Baseball’s Opening Day, and I’m glued to the television for Terry’s debut as an Oakland Athletic. They’re playing the Seattle Mariners in our hometown. Kendra told me he was traded over the winter, and I’m not missing this for anything.
Emmy pokes her head in the living room. “Whatcha watching?”
I pat the couch cushion, inviting her to join me, and she clambers alongside. “See number forty-three?” I ask, pointing at the screen.
