Page 198 of Till Summer Do Us Part
I chuckle. “Oh, I’m sure it’s nothing short of amazing.”
“You’ve got that right.” Sanders nods toward Scottie. “That ring looks good on her.”
I glance back at my girl, who is wearing a giant yet classy engagement ring that I gave her last weekend.
It was the perfect evening. I bought out Stockings and had Denise invite her out for drinks. When she arrived, the entire barwas lit up with candles, and I was up onstage, waiting for her on bended knee.
I knew the minute I told her I loved her that I was going to marry her, but I had to give her time to adjust to loving me, so I waited…and waited. I dated her, we moved in together, we started seeing Sanders for maintenance, and then when I thought the time was right, I started planning the proposal.
I roped in Mika and Denise, asked them for their thoughts. We considered coming to Camp Haven and having me propose here, but I thought it would be too much of a spectacle, and that was when Mika offered up Stockings. He no longer works there since he’s working at a private club now, but he still has connections, and we still frequent the bar together every Friday where we all hang out, so it felt like the right thing to do.
And from the look on Scottie’s face when she saw me up on the stage, I knew it was perfect. We spent the rest of the night with friends and family, drinking, dancing, and having the best time ever.
And now we are here, at Camp Haven, where it all started.
“It does look good on her, doesn’t it?” I say before I ask the bartender for two Prickly Pairs. It’s a surprise that we’re able to drink on the first night at camp, but then again, Sanders said we are celebrating our engagement, so we are going to take full advantage of it…as well as the sex palace.
Yup, we asked for the same cabin, because this time, I want to make sure we use every last thing offered in the sex palace, suction-cup dildo included. I have plans. Lofty plans, but I have them.
“It does, and that smile on her face, it’s grown and grown with every passing month I’ve seen you two.” Sanders pats me on the shoulder. “You’ve done well, Wilder. You helped her find confidence, and you offered her understanding and patience. But most importantly, you’ve made her feel seen again.”
I stare off at Scottie, who is lightly stroking the canvas with her paintbrush drenched in pink. “I can’t unsee her. She…she captures my full attention. I can’t imagine anyone else ever passing up on the opportunity to talk to her, to joke with her, to spend time with her. She’s such a bright light that I never want to lose.”
Sanders smirks. “I’m glad to hear it.”
Our drinks are set on the bar, and I grab them and offer Sanders a nod of appreciation before walking back over to my girl and taking a seat next to her. I set her drink in front of her and then lean in and kiss her cheek.
“The canvas is looking great, Pips.”
She scoffs as she turns toward me, her knees knocking against my thigh. “You’re being nice. It looks like trash.”
“Nah, everything you touch is gold, babe.”
She snorts and then sips her drink. “You can butter me up all you want. I will not be using the suction-cup dildo in the shower.”
I let out a roar of a laugh. “What little faith you have in my convincing skills. Trust me, by the end of these eight days, you’re going to want to take it home.”
“Keep dreaming.”
“Hey,” Chad says with a wave as he walks up to us with his arm around his wife, Danielle. “We miss you over at Butter Putter.”
A few months ago, Scottie left Butter Putter and started editing freelance. It started when Sanders was telling her about an article he had to write about his practice and his “unusual” style of couple’s therapy. The piece highlighted his office, his techniques, and his values. He asked Scottie if she would take a look at it, and she offered him some very valuable insight, so much so that he recommended her to a few other people, and it trickled down from there.
Now she’s editing on her own time, giving us the flexibility to travel, something she’s been pressing me to do.
And we finally did. We took a ten-day trip to Ireland where we toured the entire country, drank too much Guinness, and talked to some sheep while lying in the fields and staring up at the sky. It was a big step for me, being that far from Mika, but with his encouragement, along with Scottie, I made the leap, and I’m so glad I did, because we had an amazing time. I was able to see and experience things I’ve never seen or done before, and I was able to put my mind at ease, knowing that Mika—who has made leaps and bounds in his life—was going to be okay.
We are planning another trip, this one to Edinburgh, Scotland. I know it’s not much farther, but baby steps.
“You know, I kind of miss you guys too,” Scottie says with a sly grin. “I miss the distinct sound of chino shorts, rubbing together as you all moved about the office.”
Chad laughs. “I can record it for you if you want.”
Scottie holds up her hand. “Really, I don’t want to trouble you.” She then turns her attention to Danielle. “How are you feeling, Danielle? Is the morning sickness gone?”
She nods and rubs her stomach. “Yes, thankfully.”
“Now she’s in the fun phase of pregnancy,” Chad says, wiggling his eyebrows, causing Danielle to elbow him in the side.
