Page 68 of Perfect Guy
I remove my hand from her face, and she blinks a few times. Her eyes widen as she looks around.
“Wow.”
“It took more than a snap of your fingers, and it’s not exactly what you wished for, but I hope this makes up for it until we can go to a tropical island.”
Madelyn turns around to look at me. Her eyes are glassy, and she blinks rapidly.
“This is… I have no words.” She shakes her head, looking back at my patio.
It’s nothing fancy, but I set up fake palm trees and brightly-colored decorations to make it look festive. I have tiki torches lining part of it. My favorite part is the corner where I poured sand and tied a hammock between two trees. I stuck another fake palm tree next to it with a torch.
“I couldn’t bring the beach,” my joke comes out apologetic.
“I don’t need a beach. I just need you.” She wraps her arms around me, pressing the side of her face against my chest. I hug her back, holding her to me for longer than a normal embrace. I’m in no hurry to separate.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
“No need to thank me.” I push away the hair from her face and press my lips to hers in a soft kiss. She smiles against me, and it makes me feel like a king.
“I’m not the best cook, so we’re barbecuing instead of eating some unique dish. Hope that’s okay.” I take her hand in mine.
“Are you kidding me?” She looks around, waving her hand. “You did all this for me. Way more than necessary.” Her shimmering eyes meet mine.
“You deserve this and more.” I kiss her forehead.
“You’re spoiling me. How can I help?” Her face lights up.
“I’m going to turn on the barbecue and bring out the steaks. Want to help me with drinks?”
“Of course.”
We walk into my house. I pull out the steaks from the fridge, followed by a pitcher.
“I made piña colada. It tasted good when I tried a sip earlier. I thought it’d be the closest we’d get to a cocktail on the beach.” I hold up the pitcher.
“You went all out.” She bites her smile.
“All out would’ve been booking us two flights and having a real vacation. We’ll have to wait for that.”
The look in her eyes when I say that speaks volumes. Madelyn takes the pitcher and glasses while I carry the plate with the steaks. I’m a beer guy, but I can enjoy a cocktail every once in a while, especially if I’m with my girl.
We cook together while we enjoy our drinks.
“Bill said he might have another project for me,” Madelyn says.
After she told me she was meeting with him, I hoped it would be for more work. I was right. He wanted to bring Madelyn on as a project-based architect, handing her specific projects in the future.
“I’m so happy for you.” I squeeze her hip before flipping the steaks.
After we eat, we lie on the hammock together. I have my arm around her, keeping her close as we barely rock.
“This is so relaxing,” Madelyn comments, staring up at the sky.
“I can’t believe I never had a hammock before. I’ve been missing out.” My fingers trail up and down her upper arm.
“Now you have one.” She turns to face me. “Thank you for tonight.” She chews on her bottom lip.
“You don’t need to thank me,” I tell her again. With my free hand, I pluck her lip from her teeth.