“You’re allowed,” I said. My eyes dropped, hesitating. “How could someone like you really be seen with someone like me? Your ex didn’t even think for one second that we were a couple.”
“That’s because she’s a stuck up bitch. Listen, I only went out with her for a month, and I was miserable. I ended it years ago. Then she just ended up in my industry again.” His fingertips danced through the back of my hair. “I need someone who makes me happy.” Dale leaned in to breathe into my ear, “That’s you.”
“I want to make you happy. I just...” I was so flustered that I didn’t even know how to finish my thought.
“Sweetie, I’m never going to expect you to have all the answers. I won’t either. I’ve never had a girlfriend for longer than a month, and I don’t know how things are supposed to work. But I don’t care. Let’s just do what’s right for us, and ask each other immediately if we’re not sure. Alright?”
“Alright.”
“Like when you asked me what to wear,” he chuckled. “I would never have thought of that, but girls need to know those things, don’t they?”
“Absolutely.”
“And now I know that you need to know that we’re permanent, and I’ll always be here for you.” Dale lifted me and set me on his lap. “Lindsay, I’ll always be here for you. Even if I’m working like crazy, just text me and I can sneak off for a quick phone call. I want to be the one you turn to.”
My head snuggled against his shoulder. “Thank you.”
His lips brushed my hair. “Except for extra girly stuff, and I know you have Nadia and Charity for that.” He grinned at me. “Have you told them that your little science experiment really worked?”
“Not all of the details yet, but a bit.”
He grinned. “I try to pretend I’m a cool guy once in a while, but I’d really love to do something cheesy as hell.”
“Like what?”
“Like take a super cute photo of the two of us together, and have us both post it online so that I can introduce my new girlfriend to the world.”
I giggled, then threw my arms around him, kissing him with that deep, soft fire we shared. He was willing to be silly and cheesy for me. He really did have a mushy side.
We both held up our phones, giggling and snuggling the whole time. He took a photo where he was kissing my cheek, then I took a photo where I was kissing him.
We looked adorable together. His tan, slightly rugged face was such a contrast to my pale, round, slightly wide-eyed expression.
“Before I post it, is this okay?” Dale held his phone over so that I could read the caption. “I’d like everyone to meet my beautiful new girlfriend and the love of my life, Lindsay. You’ll be seeing a lot of her soon, since I never want to be away from her.”
Turning to him, I just stared for a moment.
“Oh, sweetie, I’m sorry. You’re nervous. Your lips are doing that tight thing.”
I tried to unclench my mouth. “You said... Um. To everyone.”
Dropping the phone in his lap, he took my hands in his. “I love you, Lindsay. I think you’re amazing, and the entire world is more amazing every time I’m with you.”
“I love you too,’ I whispered, feeling tears prick my eyes.
He grabbed me, holding me against his chest. “I’m so sorry, did I freak you out? Or are those happy tears?”
“Yes,” I squeaked. “Happy. And relief, I think.”
“My sweet baby,” he purred, stroking my back as he held me close. “Any time you have big feelings, my shoulder is right here for you to tuck into. Okay?”
I nodded, cuddling against him. Then I grabbed my phone, adding my own caption to our photo, and holding it up for him to read.
“This is the amazing new man in my life, Dale. Don’t tell him that he’s my mushy little cuddle monkey, because he thinks he’s a big tough guy.”
His eyes sparkled as he looked back at me. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“I might.”