Five months later…

All is right with the world. I haven’t heard from my crazy mother in months, track conditioning is going well, and I have an amazing girlfriend. Ashley and I still haven’t slept together, but that’s absolutely fine with the both of us. I’m not ready to go there yet, and she is so understanding.

“Thank god I’m not in Chicago right now. I bet the weather is giving them hell.”

“Yeah. Plus, if you were in Chicago, you wouldn’t be here with me,” I pause and softly add, “where you’re supposed to be.”

She looks up at me from her position on my bare stomach. We’re relaxing at her loft, watching TV, and simply enjoying each other’s company. Ashley and I have been going out for almost six months now, the longest relationship I’ve ever been in. I hold her in my arms as I think about how she only came into my life just a few short months ago, and in a matter of weeks, managed to flip my entire world right-side up. She’s my better half; she makes me feel complete and at ease.

And…I think I lo–…lo–… love her. Love?

Love.

I want to show her how much she means to me, but I don’t know how to do it. I’m so new to the whole relationship deal, but I fell safe with her. I sigh, my arms still wrapped around her protectively.

“What’s wrong?” she inquires?

“I don’t know. Nothing. Everything. Don’t worry about it,” I shrug.

She continues to look at the TV screen.

“You know Valentine’s Day is in a few day.”

I hold my breath, trying to avoid the topic.

“Yep. I know.”

“Did you want to do anything special? I know this one place we could go,” she trails.

“In public?”

“Yes, in public.”

I am flabbergasted. Ashley and I have never gone out before in public as a couple. She says it’s too risky.

“Why now?”

“Don’t worry about it,” she mimics. “I have a whole night planned if you’re up for it.”

“If it means spending time with you, always.” I smile at her then give a gentle kiss on the lips.