62. Cooper
62
Cooper
“ I can’t believe this is our last night here.” Trin whines against my chest as we dance underneath the twinkle lights of the reception.
“Well yes it is sad it’s our last night here in this house but we can continue being sad in Saint Tropez.” Her head jerks up and her wide eyes instantly find mine.
“What do you mean Saint Tropez? Isn’t that in France?” Her face scrunches like she is questioning herself and I laugh.
“Yes, zhena. We are leaving here in the morning and going to France.” My hands rest lightly on her waist as I guide her along with the music.
“And what are we doing in France?” She teases like she almost doesn’t believe me.
I bend down, lean in and whisper, “Well for starters hopefully each other.”
“Cooper!” She smacks my chest as she looks around. Making sure no one overheard, before she laughed.
“OK after that, then what, smart guy?”
“We will hang out there for a little while before heading to the Amalfi Coast. Just to see what’s going on over there.”
“Yeah sure and after we stuff ourselves with pasta and wine where do we go next on this dream vacation?”
“I figure we could cool down in Zürich. Check out some bookstores, grab a coffee and look at all those really old buildings you’ve always wanted to see.”
By now she is figuring it out. Even through all the wine and tequila she’s surely going to regret tomorrow she is putting the pieces together.
“My once upon a time, lottery winner, genie in a bottle, dream trip?” She looks up at me as she recalls the title she doodled on a piece of college ruled notebook paper that listed all the places she would go if she ever got lucky enough to see more than our small hometown.
I reach into the pocket of my suit pants and pull out a piece of folded aged notebook paper that I’ve kept in my wallet for the past thirteen years.
“We are taking the summer to make up for lost time. I want to give you everything you’ve ever dreamed of Trin. I love you so fucking much sometimes I can’t stand it -”
I don’t get to finish because she wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me down for a kiss. I can taste the sweetness of the champagne on her tongue as the room erupts in cheers and claps.
Pulling away she smiles wide and free as I rest my forehead against hers.
“Cooper, you are my dream. All I’ve ever really wanted in life is you.”
“Well you can have me in all the places you’ve ever wished to see.”