Evelyn
Before I knew it, the year was over, my birthday had passed, as well as the holidays, and Nathan had officially moved to New York.
Nathan and I were amazing together. Yeah, he had an apartment, but he basically lived in my condo, not by his choice—though I knew he didn’t mind—but more than anything because we couldn’t figure out how to be away from each other. With things at his gallery working out more than well, he was even helping me pay the rent, which was something I didn’t really like.
Although Nana had left me well off, I was getting desperate to start working or go back to school. But he didn’t want me to think he was taking advantage, so he helped as much as he could.
Strangely, after years of loneliness, my heart now felt full. I was with the man I loved, his parents adored me, and I had Carter. Not to forget the many, many friends that were still in Pennsylvania. Our lives were beginning to make sense, and maybe we should have taken things slower, but both Nathan and I were on the same page; we wanted to be together.
I laid next to him with his arm wrapped around my waist, savoring the small kisses he placed on my bare back. The smile playing on my lips wouldn’t disappear; it hadn’t for weeks since he’d arrived.
Nathan seemed deep in thought as well even though it was past midnight and he had to be at the gallery in a few hours. I turned around, laying on my back to look up at him. He smiled, placing a small kiss on my lips.
“Why can’t you sleep?” I asked, raising my hand to his cheek.
What I saw in his eyes was strange, and I couldn’t decipher it. All I knew was that it was different than he’d ever looked at me before. A mixture of longing and realization covered his features, and I didn’t know what to do or say.
In a practiced move, Nathan positioned himself on top of me, my legs parting instinctively to let him in. He pushed inside of me, and I gasped softly, my eyes closing at the sheer pleasure of having him inside me.
He didn’t move, though.
He didn’t do anything but look at me.
“What?” I whispered the question, trying to figure out exactly what was going on inside his head.
He nuzzled my neck, groaning softly as he began thrusting inside of me, slow…torturous…sweet. It was so sweet tears formed in my eyes.
Usually our sex was passionate, at times wild…always loving. But in that moment, it was so beautiful, so sweet, the emotions overwhelmed me. He made love to me like never before, as if was the last time, as if he was cherishing every single millisecond that passed by.
His name escaped my lips with a soft whisper, and he gazed down at me, a small smile on his lips, before he leaned down and kissed me once again, making sure that every part of our bodies connected throughout.
Once we finished, he stayed on top of me, peppering kisses on my jaw, my neck, my cheeks, everywhere.
“I love you more than you could ever imagine, Evie,” he finally whispered, linking our fingers together.
It was the perfect time to play that “I love you more” game, but somehow, by the look in his eyes, I didn’t know if I could counter his words. They were shining with devotion, and as he held me, I felt exactly that: loved.
Heart soaring, I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him, hoping he knew I loved him just as much.
***
The next morning, Nathan and I arrived at the gallery hand in hand. We got little to no sleep, but we were both happy and eager to start the day together. It felt like everything had changed.
The light to the gallery was already on, letting us know Jessica was already there. However, I realized I didn’t feel jealous or doubtful anymore, not after the way he held me the night before. My mind was at peace because I knew he was with me no matter what. But that didn’t mean I didn’t doubt her…
Nathan kissed my forehead before going to the office, where I was sure Jessica was already waiting for him. I liked the peaceful silence that surrounded the gallery before opening. It was comforting. I could admire the paintings and make up the stories in my head without distractions.
I walked around, analyzing each painting, from its colors to the details. My phone buzzed, the unknown number interrupting my exploration. I didn’t bother to answer and instead silenced it completely and focused on everything else in front of me.
It wasn’t until a few minutes later that I heard footsteps and later saw Jessica appear from the office. She seemed annoyed to see me, and I forced a smile just to spite her.
“You could pretend to like me, you know?” I said. “I am your friend’s girlfriend after all.”
She scoffed, shaking her head. “You don’t like me, either.”
“Because I’m not an idiot. I’m pretty sure I know how you feel about him.”
Taken aback, she stared and stared before smiling. “I care about him, yes. And I’m his friend, so I will be around.”
I took that as a warning. That’s what it seemed like. Her eyes took on a glint I didn’t like at all, and I would have said something else had it not been for Nathan coming out of the office.
“Are you going to stick around?” he asked. Jessica turned around, giving me all the confirmation I needed. I shook my head, placing a small kiss on his cheek.
“I’ll go visit Carter a while,” I replied. I said my goodbyes and went back to my building. It was a calm day overall, and while with Carter, I started planning a surprise for Nathan. He rarely used his apartment, and I wanted to make it into somewhat of a man-cave for him. Although for him, a man cave meant a studio, I knew it would mean a lot to him.
I told Carter all about my intentions, and he quickly agreed to help me and get Nathan’s parents onboard with my idea. After everything Nathan had done for me, it was only fair that I did something significant for him too, though nothing would ever be enough. He’d been my friend for years, and now he was the man I wanted to share my life with. He’d stuck with me through thick and thin—through my never-ending breakdowns—and I knew deep in my heart he was in it for the long run.
It’s easy to be with someone when there are no problems and life is great. I knew our biggest tests would come unexpectedly, and I wanted to be ready for them. I hoped I was ready for them.
I’d learned from the coldness in my parents’ marriage I didn’t want that for myself. Their interactions were almost inexistent and a prime example of what a marriage should never be. I also knew Nathan was different from them. And I hoped I was too. I was willing to try my best for our relationship to work, and when he arrived later that night and made love to me again, I was reminded of why we couldn’t be wrong for one another.
This wasn’t just the beginning of a new year for us but also the beginning of a new stage in our lives. One in which we started over as a couple who would hopefully one day form a family. It wouldn’t be easy, life never was…but it would be worth it.
Of that, I didn’t have a single doubt.