Nicki sat in the hanging swing chair in the far end of the garden, happy to be away from the noise and chaos of the party. He was leaving tomorrow night for an adventure on the other side of the world and she wasn't sure if she was ready to be away from him for so long.
They had met during her first semester at the university of toronto almost 3 years ago. She had been given a scholarship at the university to study civil engineering and he had been a student at the university studying international relations, a course he'd finished last year. They'd bumped into each other when he was mentoring the first year French students, a module she had taken for the fun of it. And it was safe to say they hit it off.
A friendship formed and quickly. He helped her settle into the city since he was local, and it led to them discovering they shared a lot of common interests. Although their schedules clashed a lot, they would always find a way to make time, even if it was just them sitting and getting on with revision and assignments. He introduced her to his parents as his best friend, and by the end of the summer - that they spent most of a part - she was his girlfriend. They were inseparable.
"What's up?" he asked, placing a kiss on her temple as he took a seat next to her and put his arm around her.
"Nothing," she said softly, tucking herself into his side. "Just wanted some alone time,"
He finished the rest of his beer and placed the bottle on the floor. "I'm gonna miss you so much," he said sitting back into the chair and bringing her with him causing it to start swinging.
"Stop, cause you already know I'm gonna miss you more and I don't want to get emotional," she said , bringing her hand up to his chest and removing imaginary lint from the shirt he was wearing.
"I know baby, but that's also something I wanted to talk to you about." She looked up at him and he gave her a gentle peck before proceeding. "I want you to listen to me when I talk ok?"
She gave him a nod, knowing what he was going to say had the possibility of a no or an overreaction.
"I want you to test the waters whilst I'm gone. I want you to see what else is out there, give someone the time of day because I want you to be sure you want me," he said, running his hand through her hair. "I've been your first everything and I know I'm gonna be your last, but this is a perfect time for you to be free spirited. And don't get me wrong, we are not over,"
She chuckled. "I already know I want you. Are you suggesting we go on a break?" she asked.
"No. I don't like that word; it emphasises separation. It's more so going open, but only on your side," he said.
"And what if I don't step out, because I'll just feel like I'm cheating on you," she said with a pout, not really keen on the idea but he just chuckled.
"You're not, trust me this is the only time I'm ever going to share you, and you know I'm possessive as fuck when it comes to you. I just don't want you to feel lonely, or to miss the romantic gestures so I want someone to fill that void. Go on a date or two and give a kiss or two, I won't be mad, I promise,"
She laughed causing him to smile. "And what are you going to be doing? How are you gonna act around the pretty girls?"
"You're the prettiest girl I'll ever know, and I always tell you that. But to answer your question, I'm a married man, the ring and contract will come when you're ready, but I'm already fully committed," he said and she knew he was being completely serious. It was a conversation they'd shared before. "This is really gonna be a test for us, I'll send you pictures and postcards and I'll send you emails, but I'm really gonna try and disconnect,"
