Page 17 of Caged
“That I can do.”
Epilogue – Janie
Six months later...
“Come on, old lady, we’re going to be late.”
Skye hurried up, giving me a smack on the ass as she walked by. “Who are you calling an old lady?”
“Well, you are turning forty-five,” I reminded her. “That’s practically ancient compared to me.”
“I’m only twelve years older than you,” she protested.
When we first started dating, Skye was a little concerned that the difference in our ages would be a problem as we got older, but now that we’d been dating for just over six months, she seemed less bothered by it.
I certainly was. We might have an age gap, but we were perfectly matched. My relationship with Skye was the best I’d ever had – respectful, loving, and fun. I liked to think that I’d softened her up a bit, and Skye had definitely taught me that I could have a relationship free of hostility and negativity.
We hadn’t had even one major argument in all these months together, although there was one thing that we didn’t see eye-to-eye about: living together. Skye had been trying to get me to move in with her ever since about two weeks into our relationship, and I’d finally told her she couldn’t ask me again for at least a year. I didn’t want to rush into anything.
“I’ll let you know when I’m ready to talk about taking the next step,” I told her several months ago. “If you keep asking about it, it just makes me feel trapped.”
“I would never trap you,” she’d said. “I just want to wake up every day with the woman I love.”
“I love you too, Skye, but I need time.”
I was pretty sure she thought I’d never be ready, but after six months of therapy and six months in a good relationship, I wasabout as ready as I’d ever be. But she’d been patient, so I wanted to give her a grand gesture.
“We have reservations atNovela,” I told her as we headed out the door. “I ordered us an Uber in case we want to drink.”
The ride share was pulling up as we stepped outside. We were both quiet on the ride to the restaurant, and even after we were seated at our table, she remained silent. I glanced at my girlfriend a few times but couldn’t get a bead on what she was thinking. Finally, I decided to ask. We’d promised each other not to have secrets.
“What are you thinking?” I asked. “I know you can’t be concentrating on the menu that hard.”
She put the menu on the table and grimaced.
“It’s stupid, but I was thinking I’m going to be fifty in five years. I still feel like I’m in my twenties.”
I knew she was in perimenopause now, and it was freaking her out a little. I wondered if she was having regrets.
“Are you sad that you didn’t have kids?” I asked.
She shook her head immediately.
“I never wanted kids, and while I would have sucked it up if you really wanted them, I’m glad I don’t have to.” She paused, sending me a searching look. “You haven’t changed your mind, have you?”
“No,” I said emphatically. “Not about having kids anyway. However, I have changed my mind about something else.”
“Can I get you ladies a drink?” The waiter chose that moment to approach our table.
“A bottle of merlot, please,” I said firmly, without sparing him a glance.
I kept my gaze fixed on Skye as he scurried away. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out a blue velvet box and slid it across the table. Her eyes widened as she realized what it was.
“I changed my mind about needing a year to make a commitment,” I told her. “I’m ready now. I love you Skye, and I want us to get married.”
Her jaw dropped, looking from me to the ring box and back to me. “You mean it? Do you really want to get married?”
“Yeah, I do.”
