A Match Made in Heaven

“Well, at least let me buy the other supplies.”

Reece grinned. “Deal.”

They set up a time for the caterer to arrive before they left the shop. Once they were back in the car, Janelle sighed. She didn’t want Reece to think that she wanted his money or that she couldn’t afford to pay for things herself. Still, she couldn’t deny that he looked happy to do it. He still had a big grin on his face. Once they drove for a while, she looked around in confusion.

“I thought we were going to pick up the rest of the supplies for the party.”

“We have to make a stop first,” Reece said easily as he pulled up in front of a small ice cream shop. “Besides, I already bought all of the supplies yesterday.”

Janelle narrowed her eyes. “You play dirty.”
Reece kissed her cheek. She sighed. There was nothing that she could do about it now. He helped her out of the car before they walked inside. The rows of ice cream flavors were presented proudly. Reece was traditional and settled on vanilla in a cup.

“That’s so boring,” she teased.

“That’s better than the impending disaster that you’re about to order.”

“What? Can I get chocolate, cookies and cream, cookie dough, peanut butter and cherry? In a bowl please.”

“Disgusting,” Reece said with a shake of his head.

“Shut up,” she said elbowing him.

They took their ice cream to go, eating it as they walked down the street. It wasn’t exactly hot enough for ice cream, but that rarely stopped them from enjoying their favorite treat. They ended up in the park sitting together on a bench. Orange, red and yellow leaves fell around them. Janelle leaned her head on Reece’s shoulder.

“This is beautiful.”

“You’re beautiful,” he said, placing a kiss on her forehead.

They ate their ice cream in silence as they stared out at the park around them. Janelle loved the fact that they could do that. Not every moment had to be filled up with empty conversation. They finished their ice cream before Reece helped her up. Janelle held on to his hand, not moving.

She wasn’t quite sure why, but at that moment she knew that she had to tell him how she felt. It was a perfect moment, one that wouldn’t come again to say what was on her mind. The woman took a deep breath.

“What’s wrong?” Reece asked, concern written on his face.

“I have to tell you something.”

“What is it?” He asked, curious now.

“I love you.”

Reece smiled. “Well, it took you long enough to say it.”

Janelle slapped his arm. “Asshole,” she said walking away, her face hot.

He grabbed her arm before pulling her back to him. Grinning, he leaned down, pressed his lips to hers gently. Janelle leaned into him, her mouth moving against his effortlessly. She sighed.

“I love you too,” Reece whispered when he pulled back.

Reece took her hand in his and refused to let it go for the rest of their walk. By the time the sun was threatening to set and the cold set in, they headed back to his car. Janelle had to admit, she felt relieved that she’d finally told him. She grinned.

*****

“Hey, where are the plates! I have to set the table,” Janelle said in a panic.

Reece pulled them out before he began to set the table. He could tell she was nervous by the way she was running around. He was nervous as well. Her parents were coming to town, Daphne was coming over soon and through it all, there was the fact that he had more important things on his mind.

“Reece! Where are the napkins? I thought I put them in the dryer – here they are. Never mind.”

He grinned to himself. She was cute when she was running around the way she was. Generally, she had everything under control, but he knew that she was nervous about meeting his parents too. Their worlds were coming together quickly. He just prayed that the transition would go smoothly.

Reece finished setting the table as she walked into the dining room, her heels tapping on the wooden floor. She set the napkins up on top of the plates neatly. Her fingers ran over the tablecloth, her lips moving without saying a word. Reece wrapped his arms around her.

“It’s going to go perfectly,” he whispered into her ear.

“I sure hope so because I’m pretty sure I’m going to pass out at any moment.”

“You haven’t eaten?”

“I’m too nervous,” she said as she shook her head. “I will as soon as everyone gets here.” There was a knock on the door. “I hope that’s the servers,” she mumbled to herself before she was gone once again.

Reese watched her answer the door. She was wearing a black cocktail dress that showed off her amazing legs. The black heels she wore almost made her as tall as he was. Her hair was in a bun, a few stray escapees curling down her neck. He wanted to reach out, brush the strands away.

“Oh good,” she was saying, her voice filled with relief. “Just follow me into the kitchen.”

The servers were dressed in all black as they walked into Reece’s house. Janelle directed them back to the kitchen before she turned to Reece. She grinned at him.

“Everything’s starting to go smoothly,” she said with a smile.

“I told you it would. You just needed to breathe,” he said with a laugh.

“I’m just nervous. What if our families hate each other? Then what.”

“Then we do whatever the hell we want to do, because we’re adults,” he teased.

Reece pulled her into a deep kiss. He didn’t think he’d ever grow tired of kissing her lips. When they pulled away, both of them went their separate ways to get ready for the party. Janelle went to go apply her makeup and slip on another pair of earrings, while Reece went to finish getting dress.

The man settled on a blue, button up shirt rolling up the sleeves. His hair had been freshly cut and as he looked into the mirror, he smiled. Reaching into his top drawer, he pulled out the small, blue box. For a moment, he clutched it tightly before slipping it into the pocket of his pants. Tonight was the night

*****

“Hey!” Janelle called out as Clark walked in. “How are you? How was your date?”

“It was amazing! I’ll have to give you the details later, “ Clark said with a wink.

Janelle shook her head. She could already tell it would be interesting, but probably inappropriate. As he said, Clark had brought along a bottle of tequila for after dinner shots. She popped it in the freezer before she headed back out to the party.

“Hey, baby,” a voice called.