Page 62 of How We Began

“What band did you say?”

“Sound Box.”

“Yeah, I know them. Ben, isn’t it?”

“Uhhhh, yes.”

“They’re going to do really well, I think. Record deal, hey?” The news of the deal had clearly pleased Big Baz.

“Yes, yes, I know. That is why I am letting him go and not telling him that I am completely madly in love with him, so he’ll go and get all the amazing things he deserves.” My patience was wearing dangerously thin. I’d already explained it all. What I needed, and I didn’t want to be rude the man, was a goddamn resolution.

“So what you want is something that shows that you love him, shows him how much you feel but without actually have to say the words?”

“Yes, that is it exactly… Do you, for the love of god, have anything?”

“As a matter of fact, I do. I have one word for you, young lady. Gibson.”

I stared at him blankly, his meaning was completely lost on me, but the way he said Gibson with such a reverent tone made me know what whatever a Gibson was, I needed one.

“Yes, please. I’ll take one.”

“Not that easy, Miss. We need to choose the right one. Lucky for you I know the young man in question, so I can help.”

Thank God for that.

I’ve now got one word that goes with Gibson. Kerching!

You know how they say a man should spend two and a half times his monthly salary on an engagement ring? Well, a Gibson is more.

I didn’t care, I practically cried with joy as I handed over my credit card. It was well worth it, even if the money could’ve been spent on another two years at the gym and a lifetime supply of salad.

I thanked the man profusely.

He thanked me.

It looked like he was about to shut up early for the day after his bumper sale of the day. I couldn’t blame him, he’d had to watch me cry and blow snot bubbles.

I dashed back up High Street, jumping into another shop on the way for candles and stuff.

Back on the bus I texted Meredith asked her to make sure that he was out of his room, then tiptoed across campus like fucking Tinkerbell, up the stairs, and into his room to hide his present under his bed. I then spent five minutes decorating the place with candles hoping that the fire alarms wouldn’t go off.

Ben had also been busy during the two hours I’d been shopping. Yep, another two hours had been wiped out of our ‘let’s pretend’ day.

“Wow, look at this.” I stared at all the nibbly bits of food.

“Where on earth have you been?” he asked, and I fell into his embrace as he tugged me in, hand on my hip, lips against mine.

“Very very busy.” I pecked my words against his kiss.

“Me too.”

“Looks amazing.” I shivered as his mouth dropped to my throat, my body all liquid and warm. “Shall we eat?”

Blue eyes found mine. “Later.”

Later was fine with me.

(Post Coital Dinner – new thing I’ve just made up)