Page 9 of Here You Are

Around date number ten, Luke asked me to be his girlfriend. It was an immediate yes from me, and it felt like more of a formality to make sure we were both on the same page. He invited me to his parents’ house for a summer party. His parents, Stacy and Randy, had invited everyone they had ever met in their lives, so my night was spent with introductions and mentally categorizing people, trying to remember who they were.

I spent some time in the kitchen with his mom, Stacy, helping prepare more food to restock the party snacks. I had come to know her a little bit, and she was proving herself to be a great mom, though a bit of a wild card. I never really knew what was going to come out of her mouth.

“So,” Stacy started, while bringing me more crackers to stock up the meat and cheese tray, “Seems like Luke is pretty crazy about you. He talks about you a lot, and you can not believe how shocked I was when he asked me to help prepare a dinner for you. I think he is smitten.”

Smitten. I smiled back at her and said, “I’m pretty smitten, myself. We are having a lot of fun together, and thank you for helping him cook. It was delicious. I need you to teach me how to cook. I have tasted his cooking since, and it has not been the same when left to his own devices.”

She laughed. “You know, Randy and I got married right around the same age you guys are right now. Are there any plans of a wedding in the near future?”

I slowly turned around and stared at her with my mouth gaping open. She started to laugh again.

“Maybe I'm rushing it a bit. You know, Randy and I only dated for six months before we got engaged and were married after one year, so I’m never going to get after you guys for moving too quickly. Plus, what was the point of having six kids if I’m never going to be a grandma?”

I paused what I was doing again and looked at her. She was staring at me with what can only be described as a “shit-eating grin.”

“You are wild. And I'm going to pretend we never had this conversation. Imagine on the way home I say, ‘By the way, Luke, your mom and I were making wedding plans and talking about what we are going to name our kids.’ Your son is pretty chill; however, I think he would drop me off on the side of the road. I really like him, but it has only been a couple of months. We’ll see what happens. I don’t think either of us is in a hurry for anything.”

Stacy started to grab things to bring outside. “I’m just teasing you. I have really enjoyed having you around here, and I hope we get to see a lot more of you. Heaven knows we could use some more estrogen in this house.”

Luke and I settle into a bench swing in his parents’ backyard just as some fireworks are starting. Nothing makes me feel more American than watching fireworks on a hot, summer night. God Bless America. There is patriotic music playing, fireworks blasting off everywhere, and kids running around the backyard screaming. Luke puts his arm around me and kisses me on the forehead.

“I'm really glad you're here with me tonight. My mom is really sold on you. You should have heard what she said to me earlier when I was grilling. On the other hand, my dad just slapped me on the back and said, “Good work, son.”

I looked at him and said, “If it was anything like what she was saying to me when we were in the kitchen, please know that she and I are on different timelines.”

He chuckled and pulled me closer, “I was getting worried she was going to slip my grandma’s engagement ring in my pocket at some point tonight. They really like you.”

I smiled. “Well, I really like them, and I really like you.”

He turned my face toward his and brought my lips to his. He delivered a slow, sweet kiss. “I actually really love you, Cassie.”

My heart stopped, and the fireworks stopped, and the noise stopped. All there was in that moment was him looking into my eyes, waiting. This felt like it was too soon to be dropping any “L Bombs”. I know what loving my family feels like, and I certainly feel the same way about him, except sexier. I think that means I love him, too.

“I really love you, too, Luke.”

We left the party shortly after and drove home with stars in our eyes. This guy is so special. He loves me, and I love him back. What a day to be alive. That night, we made love, and everything was perfect.

Chapter 5

October 2010

Luke and I have been dating for over a year now. It feels like much longer, probably because I slept with him on the second or third date—depending on whether you count the first time we met months ago as an actual date. I personally do, which means I can proudly say I held out until the third date.

I quickly went from questioning whether I was even attracted to him to being absolutely certain that I was. He is sweet, charming, and incredibly sexy. Everything has been wonderful between us. Lately, I’ve started wondering if he might be the man I’m going to spend the rest of my life with.

I still can’t believe how different my life is from what it was six months ago.

We made plans to meet up with his roommate, Tim, and his girlfriend, Syd, for a night out. It’s been fun to have a couple to spend time with. It’s encouraging me to get out of my comfort zone and go out and try new things. I really like Syd as a girlfriend, too. My roommate is heavily into her boss bitch lifestyle, hawking beauty products that no one can afford, so I have been distancing myself from her. Most of my time is spent with Luke, Tim, and Syd, or my sister.

We went to a themed party at a local bar. The theme was an ‘80s workout party, so we were decked out in full fitness fashion. Tim is fully committed to the look, dressing as Richard Simmons in tiny shorts and a curly wig. Luke went for a more dignified Arnold Schwarzenegger-at-the-gym vibe, sporting short red athletic shorts, a red tank top, tube socks, and white sneakers. Syd and I embraced the neon spandex, channeling every ‘80s dance aerobics video we could think of.

My running routine has been consistent over the last few months, so I was feeling really good about myself. I found a hot pink one-piece bodysuit with a thong bottom that I wore over neon green leggings. My curly hair was pulled up in a banana clip, and I felt fabulous.

There’s something about dressing up in completely ridiculous outfits that sets the tone for a great night.

We walked into the workout party, and all eyes turned. It seems most people interpreted this to mean put on whatever athletic clothes they had lying around and call it good. I couldn’t help but be a little embarrassed. However, I had my crew with me, looking just as awesome. Luke headed to the bar to get drinks. Syd and I found a table, and Tim power-walked straight to the DJ and arranged for some ‘80s bops so we could embrace the theme of the night.

Luke came back to the table with a drink for everyone and a round of shots. I'm not normally into shots because I'm not normally into puking my guts up at the end of the night, but I threw caution to the wind. Tim came back from the DJ booth with a dangerous look in his eyes.