of them. I’m not able to even confirm it in my mind, when Brie says, “Actually, you two are on your own. I have a lot to do today.”
I instantly feel guilty for not being more proactive with the party plans. “Do you need help?”
She gapes at me in horror. “Absolutely not! It’s your birthday, and you need to go have fun.” She gives me a hug. “I’ll be back later so we can get ready together.”
“Bye, Brie.” Mason and I call as she walks out.
Mason looks at me. I can’t help but smile as I say, “What do you want to do?”
He grabs me and I squeal. “Well, first I want to give you your present.” A small box appears in his hand. I go to grab it, but he holds it just out of my reach. “But before you open it,” he hesitates, and unless my eyes are deceiving me, blushes slightly, “Kat, I’m really happy that I met you a week ago. And that we’re neighbors. In case you can’t tell, I really like you. A lot. I was hoping, that maybe we could make it official…so, would you consider being my girlfriend?”
I remain frozen momentarily, in a state of shocked bliss. He looks at me expectantly as I finally absorb what he just said. A huge grin breaks across my face, and I throw my arms around his neck and smack a loud kiss on his mouth. “Yes!” I say exuberantly.
His return grin dazes me again and he uses the moment to kiss me, really kiss me, and when he’s done, all I can do is rest my head on his chest and sigh contently. I feel him chuckle softly, as he lays his head gently on top of mine. “Do you want your present now?”
I giggle. I don’t think I’ve ever been quite this happy before. “Yes, please.”
He releases me and hands me my present. I unwrap the metallic blue paper to find a small box inside. When I snap the lid open I see a pretty silver ring. At first glance, it looks like a simple band, but closer inspection reveals it’s many intricately patterned bands in one. In the center of the ring, the pattern forms a row of small hearts. I love it immediately, and I fumble to take it out of the box.
Mason takes it from me and gets it out without a problem. He looks a little sheepish. “I had them engrave it, too. I was really hoping you’d say yes.”
I take the ring from him and read the inside. It reads ‘To the beginning’ with our initials and the date. It’s perfect. “Mason, I love it.” I look at him fervently. “Thank you, really.”
He takes the ring back and gently places it on the ring finger of my right hand. “It fits! I wasn’t sure that it would. But now we don’t have to get it sized.”
I admire my new ring, and give Mason another quick kiss to show my appreciation. Then I remember that I have to show him what’s in the garage. I tug him excitedly to the door. “I almost forgot, check this out!” I flick on the light and fling open the door.
His eyebrows shoot up and his mouth drops open. “This is awesome! Your mom surprised you?”
“Yeah, she rocks,” I smile, and suddenly it occurs to me this is a good start to another conversation. “I think it may be time for you to meet her, right?”
“I’d like that. And I guess that means I will have to subject you to meeting my parents, too.” He rubs the back of his head. It doesn’t look like he’s any more thrilled than I am. This makes me smile.
“We’ll just have to make a pact not to let them get to us.”
Mason looks in my eyes. “Deal, in fact, I think the pact should include more than just possibly embarrassing family members. I don’t think we should let anybody get to us.”
Brie flashes through my mind quickly. So far, they’ve gotten along better than I could have ever hoped, but if that ever changes, I can’t leave my best friend in the lurch. “Deal,” I agree, “but Brie gets special privileges.”
“That goes without saying.” He agrees. “Now, birthday girl, what do you want to do today?”
Ultimately we spend the mild fall day in my backyard,
I instantly feel guilty for not being more proactive with the party plans. “Do you need help?”
She gapes at me in horror. “Absolutely not! It’s your birthday, and you need to go have fun.” She gives me a hug. “I’ll be back later so we can get ready together.”
“Bye, Brie.” Mason and I call as she walks out.
Mason looks at me. I can’t help but smile as I say, “What do you want to do?”
He grabs me and I squeal. “Well, first I want to give you your present.” A small box appears in his hand. I go to grab it, but he holds it just out of my reach. “But before you open it,” he hesitates, and unless my eyes are deceiving me, blushes slightly, “Kat, I’m really happy that I met you a week ago. And that we’re neighbors. In case you can’t tell, I really like you. A lot. I was hoping, that maybe we could make it official…so, would you consider being my girlfriend?”
I remain frozen momentarily, in a state of shocked bliss. He looks at me expectantly as I finally absorb what he just said. A huge grin breaks across my face, and I throw my arms around his neck and smack a loud kiss on his mouth. “Yes!” I say exuberantly.
His return grin dazes me again and he uses the moment to kiss me, really kiss me, and when he’s done, all I can do is rest my head on his chest and sigh contently. I feel him chuckle softly, as he lays his head gently on top of mine. “Do you want your present now?”
I giggle. I don’t think I’ve ever been quite this happy before. “Yes, please.”
He releases me and hands me my present. I unwrap the metallic blue paper to find a small box inside. When I snap the lid open I see a pretty silver ring. At first glance, it looks like a simple band, but closer inspection reveals it’s many intricately patterned bands in one. In the center of the ring, the pattern forms a row of small hearts. I love it immediately, and I fumble to take it out of the box.
Mason takes it from me and gets it out without a problem. He looks a little sheepish. “I had them engrave it, too. I was really hoping you’d say yes.”
I take the ring from him and read the inside. It reads ‘To the beginning’ with our initials and the date. It’s perfect. “Mason, I love it.” I look at him fervently. “Thank you, really.”
He takes the ring back and gently places it on the ring finger of my right hand. “It fits! I wasn’t sure that it would. But now we don’t have to get it sized.”
I admire my new ring, and give Mason another quick kiss to show my appreciation. Then I remember that I have to show him what’s in the garage. I tug him excitedly to the door. “I almost forgot, check this out!” I flick on the light and fling open the door.
His eyebrows shoot up and his mouth drops open. “This is awesome! Your mom surprised you?”
“Yeah, she rocks,” I smile, and suddenly it occurs to me this is a good start to another conversation. “I think it may be time for you to meet her, right?”
“I’d like that. And I guess that means I will have to subject you to meeting my parents, too.” He rubs the back of his head. It doesn’t look like he’s any more thrilled than I am. This makes me smile.
“We’ll just have to make a pact not to let them get to us.”
Mason looks in my eyes. “Deal, in fact, I think the pact should include more than just possibly embarrassing family members. I don’t think we should let anybody get to us.”
Brie flashes through my mind quickly. So far, they’ve gotten along better than I could have ever hoped, but if that ever changes, I can’t leave my best friend in the lurch. “Deal,” I agree, “but Brie gets special privileges.”
“That goes without saying.” He agrees. “Now, birthday girl, what do you want to do today?”
Ultimately we spend the mild fall day in my backyard,