Spring [Completed]

FIFTY-TWO

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HIM

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"Choose the one you can't live without."
—Unknown
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I took Imani sailing on Lake Union. I'd never been, but Rajit assured me that it would be the perfect spot. And it was, the yacht was romantic, the staff were so polite, and dinner was divine. Everything was going great until my nerves got the best of me.

She looked so perfect sitting across from me, her smile lighting up the room. After all these years, she still made my heart race every time her brown eyes met mine. So naturally, I spilled a glass of water on the table and lost my courage.

Despite the minor inconvenience, Imani seemed to enjoy every second of it, including teasing me about the water. It was a perfect evening, which made me more determined to ask the question that'll change our lives forever.

My palms sweat as I place my hand in my jacket pocket, thumb gliding over the smooth velvet of the ring box. I tense when Imani snakes an arm around my waist, sighing as she snuggles into me in the booth we share.

"Dinner was amazing," she says, patting her stomach with a smile. I catch her gaze as she glances lazily up at me, the gold painting her eyelids accentuating her big brown eyes. "I still can't believe you did all this for me."

"You deserve a thousand nights under the stars, Mani." I smile, nerves rolling off me as I take her hand in mine and fiddle with her short polished nails. I glance at our hands intertwined, the shark contrast of her warm brown skin against mine. Sighing, I close my eyes, willing the swaying of the boat to ease the pressure weighing heavily on me tonight.

"Still," she shakes her head, draping her legs across my lap. "I would've been happy just sharing a moment alone with you."

Things have been so hectic ever since we brought Carter home. When I wasn't working, I was taking care of the baby so she could rest. Our schedules never quite aligned to where we both had time to spare. Until tonight. Tonight I have her undivided attention, and she's right. Even just sitting here with her, having this moment together feels grand and meaningful.

Imani glances at me, tilting her head slightly, a question forming in that great mind of hers. She purses her lips at the same time the boat hits a wave and we jostle so hard we bump heads.

"You okay?" I ask, laughing as I place a hand to her forehead.

She nods, glancing up at me with a chuckle. "Yeah, you?" Her eyes dart to my lips.

"Mhm." I nod, placing a hand behind her neck as I kiss the spot on her forehead. She smiles, resting her hand on my chest as she leans in and softly presses her lips to mine.

Her fingertips lightly trace my collared shirt, before she pulls me closer by my tie. My hand finds her hip as I deepen the kiss, lost in the moment.

She laughs when the boat sways and we're torn apart. I shake my head, resting my face in the crook of her neck. Imani holds me, her touch gentle as she absentmindedly grazes her fingers along the length of my neck. Her touch alone drives me mad, and I relish every second of silence in her embrace.

I'm almost sad when the moment passes. Imani untangles herself from me, licking her lips as she swings her legs out my lap. "Come on." She grabs my hands, and before I can speak, she leads me out to the boat deck. "The sky is so clear tonight," she whispers as she lets go of my hand and wanders to the bow of the yacht.