Page 4 of Say You Will

“Sure thing.” Bobby, my cashier this evening, shot a few finger guns at us and winked. “Enjoy your dinner.” Damn, but I was going to miss Bobby when he graduated in May. He refused to reveal where he’d be working which made me think it was someplace far away. He’d become like a little brother to me over the last four years; I’d have to plan something for his graduation next month.

I headed towards the office while Dare said hello to Bobby, my stomach growling as the delicious aroma of lasagna and garlic bread drifted from the bag. Thankfully, they kept it short and sweet. I unlocked the office door and let Dare proceed up the stairs before me.

The announcers were reading off the starting players for the Rays, Tampa’s prior stats, preseason numbers, and rookie players when we placed everything down on the desk slash work counter. I gazed out through the one-way mirror into the store, remaining vigilant against thieves and wandering preteens. The pharmacy had closed at its normal Sunday hour of six and we rarely did much in sales from now till closing. Bobby was sashaying down the aisles, putting items away, a red shopping basket swinging from his arm. If I strained hard enough, I could probably hear him singing, but the TV announcer’s prattling drowned out everything else.

“I got us our favorites and I made brownies for dessert.” Having unpacked all the bags, Dare set plates and silverware on the counter. “I didn’t think I should bring alcohol, so it’s iced tea instead. Half-n-half, like you like.”

I curled an arm around Dare. He stopped mid-pour and looked at me. “This is amazing.” I kissed him again, taking my time until he relaxed. “I love you. Thank you for turning something frustrating into something we’ll remember. A highlight to tell our nieces and nephews someday.”

Dare nodded. “Definitely.”

As he turned away, I frowned. I’d expected him to smile and maybe laugh, but the nod had been cool instead of warm. There’d been times I wondered if he wanted kids of his own. When prodded to answer the times we’d been asked, he’d always said “maybe” not “yes.” Perhaps I needed to step up to the plate and ask him straight out, but as the announcer gave the rallying cry, “Batter up!” I put the asking on hold for another day.

“Game’s starting.” I raised my glass of iced tea. “Here’s hoping for a winning season, a playoff run, and another wonderful year with the man I love.”

That earned me a huge grin.

“Here, here!” Dare clinked his glass with mine. He leaned closer; lips puckered. I planted a big smacker on him. “Love you, silly man.”

“I love you, too, D.” Digging into my meal, I moaned as the awesome blend of sauce, cheese, and pasta landed on my tongue. After a few bites and three quick strikeouts, I said, “I’d had big plans for tonight’s game. New rules and everything.”

Dare snorted. “I bet, but don’t worry about it. I’ve got you covered.”

I stared at my boyfriend, taken aback by his frankness. A hint of his bedroom dominance had come through which I would have enjoyed thoroughly if I wasn’t currently sitting in the office at work, technically working. “Covered?”

He hummed and nodded, not looking at me, remaining focused on the game and his meal.

“What did you do?” My question was met with silence except for the click of fork against plate and the game announcer reading off the next batter’s stats. “Dare?”

Dare sighed and placed his fork down. Slowly, he wiped his mouth and tucked his napkin under the edge of his plate. Just as slowly, he rotated the chair he sat in towards me, reached across the space between us, fisted a handful of my shirt, and dragged me forward to meet him in a full-throttle kiss.

“Damn,” I whispered as we broke apart, licking his flavor off my lips. “Whatever ‘covered’ means, I want it.”

Dare patted my thigh then faced forward to finish eating. He pointed with his fork at my plate. “Eat.”

I dug in, trying to focus on the opposing pitcher winding up. I was happy to see the Sox up one-nothing, but the game failed to keep my attention. What could he have planned?

Dare’s phone buzzed a few minutes later. He glanced at it quickly before tucking it away.

“Who was that?”

“A friend.”

“Dare.”

Dare laughed. He tugged on my earlobe. “Chill, babe, your surprise is coming. Finish eating so we can clean up.” He pulled out a plastic bag and placed his dirty dishes inside.

“You know I can’t leave the store.”

“I know. Now finish eating.”

I wasn’t much for surprises but Dare seemed adamant, so I quickly cleaned my plate then handed it over to add to the bag. We sipped our iced teas as the innings advanced. The Red Sox pitcher was doing a damn fine job of keeping the Rays from scoring. The Rays pitcher, on the other hand, not so good.

A knock on the office door startled me. I hadn’t even realized I’d gotten sucked into the game and hadn’t been paying any attention to who was in the store. A glance at the security video broadcasted the smiling face of Leah, my prior Assistant Manager, who had been promoted to Manager and a store all of her own.

“Dare,” I sighed then bolted down the stairs to let her in.

“Happy anniversary!” She beamed ear to ear, snickering at his stunned gaze. Leah hugged him. “Only for you two would I give up my night to work.”