Chapter 36
Shelley
The lights and music on the Skee-Ball machine announce my win to the whole arcade while Jordan indulges my victory dance. As I moonwalk past him, he snakes an arm around my waist and pulls me in.
“Okay, Champ. Winner picks the next game. What do you want to do now?”
I scan the room until I spy a familiar game. “Pac-Man?”
“You’re on.” He keeps hold of me as we head across the floor. It’s freeing to be out in public with him like this, with his arm around me, not worrying who might see.
When Jordan takes his turn at the machine, it becomes clear that I severely underestimated his Pac-Man skills, and he’s kicking my butt this time.
We’re down to our last handful of quarters, and, as fun as this is, I’m looking forward to Phase Three of this date even more.
I remember what I wrote, and the anticipation is killing me.
“I’m ready to head out whenever you are.”
As soon as we get back to the car, Jordan reaches into the back seat and hands me a green box tied with a simple white ribbon.
“What’s this?”
“A gift. I thought Mr. Fluffers needed someone to keep him company. You may be going back to school soon, but I don’t ever plan on saying goodbye.
So, this is just…” He motions for me to open it, and I untie the bow and lift the lid.
Inside the box, a crocheted alligator is nestled in a bed of shredded newspaper.
It’s wearing a tiny t-shirt that says See you later, Litigator.
I bark out a laugh. “That might be the worst lawyer joke I’ve ever heard, but I love it. Did you make this?”
He nods. “The alligator, yes. I made it on the road when we had the game in Charlotte. I recalled somebody implying I should expand my crochet repertoire. The joke I can’t take credit for. I bought the shirt pre-made from a website.”
I didn’t know it was possible for him to melt me any more than he already has, but he just keeps doing things like this. “Thank you. I love him. He needs a name.”
“It’s going to be hard to top Mr. Fluffers,” Jordan teases as he starts to drive.
“Should we give him an A name since he’s an alligator? Does he look like an Alvin to you? Or maybe an Alex? Something else? L for litigator? Lonny? Leonardo?”
“Leonardo the alligator?”
I shrug. “I think I like it.”
“Then Leo it is.”
I thought we were headed back to the apartments, but instead we drive out a bit further until we pull into the Marnock Hotel.
He reserved Room 206, the same room from the night of the wedding.
Jordan walks me to the door. He steps forward and puts his hands on my hips, gently tugging me toward him until our bodies touch. I’m still holding my alligator.
“I’ll snuggle with him every night we’re apart,” I promise.
Jordan’s smile comes back out to play. “This guy and Mr. Fluffers both get to share your bed while I’m not there? Are you trying to make me jealous?” His thumb hooks into my belt loop.
“Maybe a little.”
One of his hands moves up to cup the back of my head while the other wraps around to the small of my back.
I tilt my chin up to look into his eyes again, and his face hovers just above mine.
“I know being apart will be hard when you go back to school. I’m not going to pretend it won’t.
But I believe in us. It will go so fast. You’ll be busy while I finish out the season.
Then we’ll figure out what comes next. People have done much harder things than love someone who lived a few hours away.
I’m not going anywhere. I love you, Shelley. Tell me you feel this, too.”
One tear trickles down my cheek as I stare up at him. How did I get this lucky?
“Yes,” I whisper. “Of course I feel it. I love you, too.”
He brings his lips to mine, and I run my fingers through his hair while I pour everything I thought I would never be able to say to him into this kiss.
“Jordan?”
He hums a questioning noise into my mouth. I’ve never been more confident in anything than I am when I tell him exactly what I want.
“I think it’s time for me to cash in that raincheck. Will you take me to bed?”
And he does. But not before I ask if he remembered to pack his jersey. There’s still one more dream we can make come true.