“I know by experience that the poets are right: love is eternal.”—E.M. Forster, A Room with a View

An impressive array of pastel-hued Vespas were lined up outside the motorcycle shop. Baby blue, bubblegum pink, eggshell white. We walked behind the salesman, listening to his pitch about the versatility of the scooter and some exciting new features and body styles. I shared a discreet eye roll with Levi but gamely followed along.

“Your friend mentioned you like the classic style, sir. Let me show you the newest GTS,” the young man said with a twitchy smile.

Poor guy. I made him nervous. Perhaps I should have toned down my fabulous a notch, but I couldn’t help myself. Vespa shopping required a special ensemble. My red patent leather thigh-high boots clashed with my fluffy magenta coat, but it was Valentine’s Day and I wasn’t holding back. I drew hearts in shaving cream on the bathroom mirror for Levi, made heart-shaped pancakes, and sang sappy love songs to him all morning until he called “uncle.” Then he took me back to bed and expressed his deep affection for me in a physical sense before suggesting today was a fine day for scooter shopping.

His sister had reclaimed hers around the holidays when she relocated to the Bay Area. I wasn’t sure what to think about having family close by. I simply wasn’t used to it. But I adored Kara. She looked nothing like her brother, but she shared his sense of adventure and thankfully, his sense of humor. Levi’s mother and stepfather were lovely too. He’d insisted on taking me to Santa Fe after harvest season to introduce me to them. I gave him plenty of opportunity to change his mind, but he insisted. Thankfully, the visit went well.

Levi had wanted them to meet the man he loved and lived with who also happened to have ownership in the old family business. We assured his mother that she might recognize a few recipes from her grandmother’s cookbooks, but she wouldn’t recognize the diner. La Vid was a highly acclaimed new eatery with a beautiful ambience, friendly staff, and a kickass menu. I was extraordinarily proud of what my man had accomplished in a year.

More importantly, I was proud of us. We were partners, lovers, and the best of friends. We talked constantly about our future…what we wanted and where we were going. Together. Though a trip to a motorcycle emporium on Valentine’s Day was a bit of a surprise.

“…it’s a high-performing machine with a powerful engine. It comes in a wide selection of colors, but this one is usually a special order. Not everyone wants cherry red,” the young man said with a weak laugh.

“Obviously I’m a fan.” I kicked out my foot to show off my boots before adding, “And teensy correction time…he’s my boyfriend.”

“I—um…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you—”

“Oh please, honey. I’m not offended in the slightest. Tell me all about this one. I love it! Does it have an Italian name? You said the white was Bianca. What’s this one?”

The salesman stuck his hands in his sport coat pockets and shook his head. “It’s not a name really. It’s the color. This one is Rosso Passione.”

I gasped and covered my mouth. “I’m in love!”

Levi chuckled indulgently. “Can we take it for a test drive?”

Ten minutes later, we were on the open road. We were maybe three blocks from the dealership, but we were in the middle of wine country, surrounded by dormant vines. I tightened my arms around Levi when he accelerated and smiled like a fool. The speed and the feel of cool wind on my face while plastered to Levi’s warm body sent a rush of adrenaline through me. This is what it feels like to truly be alive, I thought as I flattened my chest to his back.

Levi slowed when we reached an intersection then pulled over to the side of the country road and came to a complete stop. He turned in his seat and unfastened the borrowed helmet and gestured for me to hop off.

“What do you think?” he asked.

“She’s yar!” I gushed.

Levi snorted a half laugh. “What the fuck does that mean?”

“It means she’s lovely, and she handles well. I think it’s a nautical term so it probably doesn’t apply here at all, but I love the word. Katharine Hepburn used it in The Philadelphia Story. Don’t tell me you didn’t see that movie.”

“I didn’t see it,” he deadpanned.

“Ugh. If it wouldn’t ruin my boots, I’d lie down right here in utter desolation. How is it possible that I fell in love with a man who—what are you doing?”

“Stay still. There’s a giant bug on your—wait. Don’t move.”

“What kind of bug? Just swat it away.”

“I don’t want to get stung.”

“Stung? Oh, my God. Help me take off my jacket,” I said in a panic, hopping from foot to foot as I wiggled out of my plush coat. “Did it fly away?”

“I can’t tell. You better shake it. No…not like that. Do it side to side,” he instructed in a serious voice.

I waved my magenta coat like a madman then went still when I noticed the slight upturn at the corner of his mouth. “There’s no giant bug, is there?”

“No, you probably got it. It must have been attracted to your shampoo. Let’s see”—he made a show of inspecting the garment then smiled—“yep. Looks good to me.”

“You’re hysterical, Levi, my love.”

“I’m sensing sarcasm, but I’ve got a pretty good feeling you really do love me,” he singsonged. “Admit it.”

I chuckled at his comical expression and nodded. “I do. But I think we should switch jackets for the ride back to the dealership. Just to be on the safe side. We use different shampoos, so I don’t think you’ll attract any critters.”

“So let me get this straight. You want me to wear this pink, fluffy thing, and you’re gonna wear my leather jacket?”

“Yes.” I held out my coat and tried to keep a neutral expression while he grumbled good-naturedly. But when he shrugged the magenta coat over his shoulders, I burst into laughter.

He pulled me into a fierce hug and sealed his mouth over mine in a passionate kiss that left me reeling. We grinned at each other like fools then kissed again. Levi stepped backward after a minute or so and bit his lower lip.

“I love you.”

“I love you too. And I’m driving.”

He smiled then smacked my ass and gestured toward the scooter. “All righty. We’ve got wheels to buy, baby. Let’s go.”

My face was frozen in a wide grin as I navigated us back to town. Just the thought of how ridiculous we looked made me laugh. Me at the wheel in a leather jacket and Levi riding shotgun in a marshmallow fluff coat on a borrowed Vespa. The hum of the engine and the breeze were perfect background music in my current state. I was excited, yet content. Blissfully overjoyed, yet calm. This was how it was supposed to be.

I’d learned not to take anything for granted. Life could change at a moment’s notice. I had a job I adored, friends I called family, and an amazing man I loved with an open heart and mind. I hadn’t planned on this detour, but I was grateful for the chance to lean into forever with Levi.