Adore

Chapter 53

The sky was incredibly clear even though it was late in the afternoon. Although it was starting to get dark already. Back in Australia, it would be hot as hell this time of year and didn't get dark till around 7:30pm.

I was beyond excited to have my first white Christmas and couldn't wait for it to start snowing. I felt a sudden pang of home sickness and wondered how my friends from school and work were doing.

I made a mental note to contact some of them when I get back home. Tom and I were walking down the path as the dogs walked ahead of us on their leads, crossing over each other every few seconds. Noses to the ground almost the whole time.

Tom had sunglasses on and a cap on, I wondered if he was trying partially trying to hide his identity. I knew eventually people would spot us together and we'd cross that bridge when we came to it. But I couldn't help wonder what Tom thought about making our relationship public.

"Hey, I have something to ask you" I said, glancing sideways at him. I suddenly felt nervous about his reply.

"Whats up?" He replied, squeezing my hand with his own softly.

"Do you want people to know about me? Or would you rather keep this a secret?" I asked, my voice sounding quiet and unsure.

Tom tugged on my hand a bit harder this time, pulling me to a halt.

"Don't get me wrong, I like my privacy and I always have. But I don't consider you a secret either. If people find out we're dating then thats okay, I'm not trying to hide you or anything" He started, circling this thumb over mine as he spoke.

"I wouldn't want to hide someone as incredible as you. In fact I want to show you off more but wasn't sure how you feel about it" He continued. I could tell from how he maintained eye contact that he has the best intentions at heart.

"I like the privacy too, but reading some of the stuff people say about me is rough" I said honestly. Anytime there was a mention of my name in comments or whatever there was usually a wave of hate that came with it.

For the most part, people stuck up for me or asked people who were being rude to cut it out. And I really appreciated that. But I wondered if people knew we were actually together, they would start to accept it and move on.

"Sometimes I think it'd be good for people to know that they can just accept it and move on" I voiced my thoughts out loud.

"I've wondered the same too. If we get asked about our relationship status then I'm okay with confirming it if you are too" He said, loosing his grip on my hand to caress my cheek lightly. I involuntarily moved into him more, and reached up to kiss his lips.

"I'm okay with that" I said before pecking him again. Tessa and Archie started to fuss at us for stopping for so long so we kept walking. We headed off to the fields and threw a tennis ball around the the dogs for awhile before it started getting too dark.

Back in the warmth of the car, Tom drive us back to my house.

"Are you busy on Wednesday night?" He asked me squeezing my hand that was resting in his lap.

"Hmm no, how come?" I said looking towards him.

"I'd like to take you out on a date" He spoke with confidence.

"Oohh that sounds nice, did you have anything in mind?" I replied.

"I do, but it's a surprise. Are you working during the day?" He said with a smile.

"Till 4:30 I'm pretty sure I'll have to double check though"

"Okay, well let me know" He said squeezing my hand again.