Page 77 of The Intimacy of Finding You

“It is. I just wanted to take a minute out here, you know? Watch the sun go down.”

I watched as he leaned his head back and closed his eyes, enjoying the light breeze as he rocked.

Yeah, this was the best way to start the night off. Just us together, watching the world go by around us. No rushing. Just existing.

After a few minutes, I reached over and took his hand in mine. “How was therapy and the meeting?”

He squeezed my hand gently, not opening his eyes. “It was good. Kathleen was really proud of me for sticking to the meetings. She was right, honestly. All the people in the room know exactly what I’m going through, and so far, none of them have tried to push me into following the step program. I was worried about that at first.”

“I’m proud of you, too. I’m glad they’re helping you.”

“Yeah, I’ll probably move on to scheduled group therapy at some point. Just to have that sense of community somewhere still.”

I smiled at him, though he couldn’t see it. I was just so fucking awed by him and how far he’d come. Sometimes, I wondered about where he’d be if I hadn’t kept looking for him after the hospital. Would he still be on the streets, looking for alcohol wherever he could get it, or would he be six feet underground after one too many bottles?

Fuck, I was so lucky to have him.

I stood from the chair, holding my hand back out for him. “Come on, let’s go inside.”

He let me help him up, groaning when something in his leg popped. I knew that feeling all too well.

I went inside first, despite what chivalry demanded, and made my way straight to the dining room. Everything still looked good, or at least as good as I could make it.

Tobi called out from the living room. “Where’s Fishy?”

“He’s happily hanging out in his kennel in the guest room. Come here, I want to show you something.”

My heart was hammering in my chest, and the disco was in full swing in my mind. On the outside, I was calm. Silent as I watched him turn the corner into the dining room.

Tobi looked down at the table, his lips parting as his eyes widened. “What is this?”

I pointed at the green sheet spread out on the table, the vase with white flowers, and the fancy pasta plated up in our usual spots. “Our first date. Just twelve years later.”

He smiled through a laugh, taking it all in. “Holy shit. No fuckin’ way. You even got the sheet!”

“I even have the sheet. I had Jack go pick it up from the store for me on his way here.”

“Is this what he was helping you with?”

I rubbed the back of my neck nervously. “Maybe. I was kind of a wreck, honestly. I was just nervous.”

He walked the distance between us, cupping my face in his hands to give me a kiss. “I love it. And I love you.”

“I love you too, baby doll.” I nodded down at our plates. “Wanna see if I’ve improved the recipe any better?”

“Absolutely, I do. I bet you have.”

We picked up our forks at the same time, both with pieces of penne on them, and brought them to our lips. Just like on our first date, we both moaned at the taste, savoring the cheesy, basil goodness.

“This is so good,” Tobi mumbled.

“Definitely better than I remember.” I was glad we’d waited a little while. The pasta wasn’t too hot to shovel into our mouths anymore, which we definitely did.

I even spilled some on the green sheet by accident, but I was too busy enjoying the reward for my work to really pay it any mind.

Tobi wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Oh, did I tell you Price is gonna put me on the grill station for a full service tomorrow?”

“No. Are you excited?”