Page 7 of Sweet Tooth
At first, her frown lines deepened as she glared into the night. But then, gradually, they diminished as her eyes grew luminous.
“Ideally, I would be with you, have my chocolate shop, be settled, secure. Happy.” Her smile was wistful. “I’m happy now, of course. But I wouldn’t mind a little more in the way of finances.”
She drew in a deep breath, then exhaled it. “You?”
“Just you,” I said. “Me and you, with me making enough to provide for you, and you having your dream, your business, everything you could ever want.”
Jess turned to me with merry eyes. “That’s that, then. It’s decided. We’re going to be ridiculously successful and happy and in love – forever.”
“Forever,” I said in half a whisper, as the moon watched our lips meet.
The cool press of her lips decided it. My fingertips traced the lines of her face lovingly, reveling at the softness of her skin.
Our tongues swirled, while her usual chocolate taste enveloped me.
My arms wrapped around her and we sat down on the cobblestone floor.
Fireworks exploded in the distance and we turned to look at them. Taking her hand in mine, I brought my face to hers once more. “I love you.”
“And I love you,” she breathed, as our lips neared.
As they pressed, my love swelled in me too. I’m going to do right by this girl – whatever it takes.
“Hold on,” Jess said, drawing out of our kiss. She had a coy little smile that I knew meant something good. “I brought this.”
She lifted the ‘This is Chocolate’ flask that I’d bought her last winter to my lips. I drew back.
“Babe, you know I’m driving.” And have trouble stopping once I’ve started, I thought, but didn’t say.
“C’mon,” she said. “It’s New Year’s Eve. You’ll be ok with one sip.”
Who could say no to those evergreen eyes when they looked like that?
I grudgingly allowed myself a sip, then a longer drink when Jess angled the flask.
“I brought something too,” I said, reaching into my pocket.
“Zane you didn’t have to…” she began to protest.
I put a finger to her lips. “I know I didn’t. I wanted to.”
When I opened the lid, she fell silent. Although she couldn’t hold back the smile twitching up her lip corners.
“It’s beautiful,” she said quietly, looking at the gold and green jewel-eyed frog pendant nestled snugly amidst the felt box insert.
“Put it on,” I said, picking it up.
She lifted her hair as I undid the clasp and struggled to hook it back together again.
“Damn tiny things,” I grumbled.
Jessica giggled as I finally got it.
She took the frog part between her two fingers. “Thank you. It’s beautiful.”
“I know it’s just a necklace,” I continued, determined to keep going. If I stopped, I’d never get it all out. “And that promise rings are supposed to be rings. But I don’t want to give you a promise ring or anything like that, not when I’m still in the position I’m in.”
Her eyes dawning understanding, Jess opened her mouth. But I kept on. “I just wanted you to know that as soon as I can provide for you properly, I want us to be official. And I’ll propose then.” I tried to smile. “I’ll give you one of those unforgettable proposals that you deserve.”
I leaned in so that our foreheads were tipped together, the way I liked talking to her best. “Because you, Jessica Humphreys, deserve nothing less than the very best of what I can offer.”
After, the pause seemed too long.
Though as soon as my girl smiled, I knew.
“Zane, how could you even think for a second that you needed to give me more?I’d take you now; you know that.”
I shook my head. “I want to marry you right. And you’re not going to change my mind on that one.”
She smiled with the side of her mouth. “I can see that, future husband.”
I smiled with the side of mine. “Did I mention that you look gorgeous tonight future wife?”
She giggled. “Only about five times.” Suddenly her face fell. “Oh my God.”
“What?”
“We’re totally like one of those obnoxious over-the-moon couples that people love to hate.”
I studied her for a few seconds. “You just realized that now?”
A crack of a grin in her faux-upset expression, then she full-on laughed.
“Here’s to that,” she said, lifting the flask again and drinking deep. She passed it my way and I couldn’t resist another sip.
As she took another swig, I allowed my hand to stroke down her hair, ease her head onto my shoulder. “Happy New Year’s, baby.”
“Happy New Year’s, love,” she whispered as we wrapped our arms around each other.
Back in the apartment behind us, we could hear the loud countdown: “TEN! NINE! EIGHT! SEVEN! SIX! FIVE! FOUR! THREE!”
We separated, eyeing each other.
“TWO! ONE!!!!!! WOOOO!!”
Jess smiled. I smiled.
“Guess that’s it then,” she said.
“Guess that’s it,” I said. “New Year, better year, and all that.”
