She had all the leaves, acorns, and pumpkins on the table. They were having a party and she wanted to add accents to the buffet tables to make them more festive.

She was excited for the weekend. Every year they planned a day to go to a local orchard and pick their own apples. Sure, the apples weren’t quite as perfect as the ones in the grocery store, but the experience was one of their traditions.

“Let’s stop by that open house on the way home. I’ve always wanted to see inside that house,” she said as they stopped at a light.

As we walk through the park, he points to an elderly couple sitting on a bench holding hands. “That will be us one day.”

There is fog covering the pond where we had planned to hike. It isn’t cold, but it is hard to see more than a few feet in front of yourself.

“We should have kept the hotel for another night,” she said, looking around the empty house. “We don’t even have our bed to sleep on.”

“Honey?”

“Yes, dear?” The smile on your face makes me roll my eyes, but laugh.

As we walk along the river, we keep an eye on the clouds. The forecast had said no rain, but the clouds were telling another story.

After the heat of the sun by the pool, the room felt cold. She was looking forward to a warm shower to chase away the chill and wash off the chlorine.

“It’s already dark,” he said. “Why can’t we wait until tomorrow to go touch the water? I’m exhausted and starving. I don’t even know if I care enough about starving to not just crash.”

“What are you doing?” She turned and stared at him in disbelief.

“I’m chopping broccoli, why?”

I mean, can you really not respond to Warrant’s “Cherry Pie”? I don’t think it’s humanly possible. Some beats and lyrics just combine to be perfect in the moment and BOOM! There you have it.

Once again, she wants to start a game. To see how much torment can be doled out.

“Yes. You do not have permission, of course, and we’re going to test that…”

I really love these life out-takes. I learn, every single time, something more about how you’re thinking, and that whole “anticipatory service thing” we’ve read and talked about. I mean, it’s impossible, really, to know what you want and like until I’ve seen it. Tasted it. Done it.

But that’s also half the fun. Just when I think I’ve gone just far enough, that I don’t want to presume or whatever other excuse is on my mind, you up the ante or change the rules or just flat out stop something that has been a thing before, but now, simply won’t do.

Part 1

“Jess!” I heard my name called down the hall. He sounded frantic and I ran into the bedroom.

You stepped back toward me, “Could you please zip me up?”

“Yes, yes, I can. It would be my honor!” You look at me in the mirror with this quizzical look on your face, then start the smallest of grins.

“Oh, I like that.” You smile at me.

Come here.

He stopped and turned around. She had been right behind him just a minute ago. All he’d done is turn to watch a group of kids playing soccer in the distance. Where had she gone?

He slid in behind her as she stood at the stove, making that sauce that was to die for. Wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close to him, slightly back from the stove, he smelled her hair first, then her neck.

“Mmmmmm, smells so gooooooood!”

I’m breathing in these quick, short breaths now. My insides are twitching. My body is starting to shudder.

It’s date night, and you are wearing a gorgeous sweater, an amazing skirt – it seems like an odd combination, but it sure does work. I’m a #luckydude for sure.