Once in a lifetime.

⚠️5

January

Juliet

I came downstairs and there were daisies on the table. "These are cute," I say touching one of the peddles and then smelling them.

"Good," El said from the sink, "They're for you."

I rip off the pedal I was feeling and watch it fall to the table, "They are disgusting."

I could feel El roll her eyes. "Oh shut it."

My phone rang and I answered it without looking, "Hello?"

"Juliet." I hear his smile.

"Who is this?" I know who it is, but I don't want to sound too excited. I'm playing hard to get because I didn't want to get hurt.

"Dalton?"

"Oh hey." I walked over to the couch and sat down. "What's up"

"Well m'lady, I was wondering if you'd like to go out on a date with me."

M'lady? "Hmm. A date?"

"Yes. You know, activity and then dinner."

I smiled. "You're still a smart ass."

"I haven't changed that much."

"No?"

He was silent. "Is that no to me being a smart ass or the date?"

"I haven't decided yet."

"Oh."

"Thank you. For the flowers I mean."

"I realized that I don't know your favorite flower, I tried to get you lilacs but they aren't in season."

"Well, it was a good guess. My favorite flower is lilacs."

"I'll make a note of that."

"Dalton?"

"Yes?"

"I want to go slow...." I trailed off. Thinking of when he proposed.

"I know, and I'm sorry. Tonight, at 5 I want to pick you up, I want you to look nice."

"Are you saying I don't normally look nice?"

"You always look nice, so really you could show up in sweats and you'd still be the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen."

"Dalton."

"The point is that I'm taking you out. I'll be there at five."

"I need to go take care of some stuff, but I'll see you at 5. Can you promise your brother won't pound my face in?"

"I'll be ready, but I can't make promises about Aaron."

"Fair enough. I love you."

"See you tonight." And then I hang up because I'm not ready to say it again. I do love him but that's why exactly why I can't say it back.

Dalton

I knock on the door, my heart pounding and body shaking. I want sure if it was from nerves or the fact that Indiana took winter very seriously. She wanted to start over so I'm going to do it. Seeing her again made me realize how much I need her. Aaron opens the door and looks at me. "Hello." My hands are shoved into my coat pockets and I'm trying not to jump up and down to keep warm. I hope he lets me inside

"Is Jules here?"

Aaron nods once and opens the screen door for me. "Come in."

"Thanks." I walk in and stand in their open living room. Aaron stands by the door his arms crossed. When I had gotten to the hotel last night I called Mary, I knew what I had to do, and even though I knew she'd be mad I followed through with what my heart told me to do. If it was the only way to keep her I'd do it.