Once we were loaded up in his car, we headed out.
“What beach do you want to go to?” Luke asked, turning off my street.
“Let’s head up to Nahant. We can walk a little and grab some lunch at The Shack. What do you think?” I answered, excited to get out of the city for the afternoon.
“Sounds perfect. I haven’t been up there in a long time.”
The car ride was uneventful. Luke held my hand the whole twenty minute ride to the beach while I stroked his palm with my thumb. We didn’t talk much. Instead, we enjoyed the comfortable silence that fell over us. Since it was the Sunday before Patriots’ Day/ Marathon Monday, traffic was very light. The city, however, was packed full of tourists for the big race. Crowds littered the sidewalks, and the streets were jam-packed with cars full of people who had no idea where they were going.
When we arrived in Nahant, we parked and got out to walk to the beach. I was happy I wore a heavy jacket, since it was on the colder side. Add in the breeze off the ocean, and it was even cooler. Since the weather wasn’t desirable, we had the whole beach to ourselves.
“Thank you for thinking of bringing me here. It’s so peaceful and calming.” I wasn’t sure how he knew what I needed today, but I was thankful he did.
“You’re welcome. The city is too crazy this weekend. I’m happy to be away from it, even if it’s only for a few hours.”
“My mind’s racing. It’s full of so many different emotions that being here is quieting down some of the voices.” I sounded like a mental patient.
“Want to talk about it?” Luke brought my hand to his lips for a quick kiss.
“I’m just nervous and anxious about tomorrow. But at the same time, I’m really excited about running. When I picked up my bib number yesterday, it made it all real again. Last year, I was so full of hope and jitters, but this year there’s this extra layer of fear.”
“You’re going to kick ass tomorrow, babe. I have no doubt in my mind that you’re going to rock it. I know you’re scared, but it will be fine. I know you can push through any fears, and run a good race.” Luke stopped and faced me when he spoke, looking me straight in the eye. I believed every word that left his mouth. “Plus, I’ll be at the finish line waiting for you.”
He was right. Adrenaline would kick in, and I would concentrate on running, and not my fears. What I didn’t want to do was focus on the bad anymore. I was thankful my emotional moments hadn’t dampened our time together, but brought us closer. But I wanted today to be full of happy memories.
“How did you become so smart, huh?” I joked as I elbowed him in the ribs.
“Hey, be nice to me, or I won’t give you any more massages.”
That was the last thing I wanted, so I stood up on my toes, threw my arms around his neck, and kissed him with all the gratefulness I had for his presence in my life. I licked his lips, wanting entry, which he granted, and tilted my head to the side to deepen the kiss. Luke responded by picking me up off the sand. My legs wrapped around his waist and I savored our connection.
“You’re forgiven if you kiss me like that again,” Luke said after he broke away.
I kissed him with everything I had, loving the feel of our mouths fused together, and our bodies entwined.
“And again.”
So I did around my smile. I couldn’t resist him when he was playful.
“Again.”
“Now you’re pushing it, tiger.” I could kiss this man every second of every day and not grow tired.
“Fine, you’re forgiven. Ready to head over and grab a bite to eat? I’ve worked up an appetite since breakfast,” Luke said, wiggling his eyebrows at me.
“I could definitely eat.”
We walked to The Shack just up the beach. After lunch, we played in the sand like little kids. The rest of the afternoon was perfect.
“Thank you again for bringing me here. I had such an amazing day with you. This whole weekend has been great, minus crazy Theresa. What are we going to do to top it next weekend?” I asked as Luke drove us home.
“Well, funny you ask. My mom really wants to meet you. She asked us to come by for dinner.”
I hadn’t realized he had talked to his mother about me. The thought warmed my heart.
“Oh?”
“Is it too soon to meet the parents? I figured, since you passed the sister test, it would be nice for you to meet them.”
“Did I really pass the sister test? I’m not sure Jessica has made up her mind about me.” Jessica was nice to me the last few times I was in, but she was against the idea of our relationship that night at the Black Rose.
“Jessica really likes you. She’s just very protective of me. Her attitude at the Black Rose had more to do with the no dating clients rule than you. She and I have talked since then, and she knows that you and I are solid, and that this isn’t some fling.”
I was elated that he felt this about our relationship.
“Good. I obviously don’t want your sister to hate me. And I like that you plan to keep me around awhile.” I gave him a quick peck on the cheek, but he turned his head and stole a kiss on the lips. “I’d love to meet your parents. Will Jess and Elle be there?” I wanted a buffer, since I hadn’t met a boyfriend’s parents since high school.
“I think so. I’ll ask them tomorrow at work,” Luke replied, giving my hand a squeeze.
“Speaking of the infamous rule, what do you think Theresa’s going to do?” I knew Luke didn’t want me to think about her, but I couldn’t stop worrying.
“I have no idea. What I want to do is ban her from the spa, but I think that will just make her angry, and she may do something dumb like create a scandal. Spas have had to shut their doors after being accused of doling out happy endings.” Tension filled his voice.
I hated that our relationship may cause him drama. “Do you think she’s just hurt from your rejection?” I asked.
“Yeah, I think so. I don’t know of any other reason. I know some of the other guys have turned down her advances. Then, seeing me with you after I told her I don’t date clients must have burned her ass.”
“Sorry I brought her up. I know you hate drama, and she’s a whole big hoe bag full of it.”
“Being with you is worth it, Lex. I just hope she falls by the wayside and stays away from The Rub Down. Plus, I would sue her dumb ass for defamation of character if she accuses me of being inappropriate.” Luke’s voice was sure, so I believed him.
“Since we’re talking about my job, I have a question for you. How do you feel about it? Does it bother you that I touch other women every day?” Luke turned his head and asked as we sat at a stoplight.
“Well, I don’t love that you see other women naked,” I answered, gathering my thoughts. “But despite how we met, I trust you. I trust that you will be respectful to your clients, and in turn, to me. I also know that you’re kind of scared of Addison, and if you break my heart, you’ll have to deal with her wrath.”
“Thank you. Your trust means the world to me. My past girlfriends hated my job, and because of that, we broke up. I love what I do, but I’d hate for it to come between us.” I saw the relief in my answer in Luke’s body. The tension in his shoulders fell away. “And yes, I’m a bit scared of Addison, but don’t tell her.”
The two of us had a good laugh at Addison’s recent fatherly behavior.
*****
Luke
Addison made an amazing pasta dinner. I loved watching the girls interact. They acted a lot like Danny and me together, teasing each other, but knowing it came from a place of love. We told Addison about the gala, and how everyone loved the dress she designed. I would bet they got a bunch of new clients from the event.
After dinner, Alexa and I headed upstairs, so she could lay out everything for tomorrow. She needed to be on a bus to the Hopkinton starting line by eight o’clock. As the night wound down, it was time to put my marathoner to bed.