I open the door and am engulfed by the warm air. My eyes meet Matt leaning against his car, his light brown hair is shorter than the last time I saw him, but his eyes are still the same piercing light green that makes you feel like he can see your soul.

When he sees me, a big smile appears on his face. “Hey, Pumpkin. You look great!” He leans in for a kiss but I hit him lightly on the chest.

“Thank you, but you know I hate it when you call me that.”

“I know.” He grins and pulls me in for a soft kiss. He steps back and opens the passenger door for me.

“I like the new hair by the way,” I say when he takes his behind the stirring wheel.

“It was getting annoying brushing it out of my eyes every other second.”

“It looks great.” I smile and he starts the car.

We have a lovely dinner and a conversation that makes me realize I actually missed him more than I thought.

“How was your break? Was Portland still freezing?” He holds my hand over the table.

“Portland isn’t freezing! Just because you’re used to boiling weather, it doesn’t mean anything under 60º is freezing. It didn’t even get below 30º, you know…”

“If you say so…” he takes a sip of his iced tea.

“I do say so.” I giggle. “Anyway, how was Miami? Did you guys enjoy it?”

“Yeah. It was great! We got to see the whole family. It was a lot of fun. Though on our way there my mom was scared of flying, I don’t know why, but the flight back was fine. Go figure.” He shrugs.

“This couldn’t be her first time on a plane. I remember you told me you’ve been to Europe with her.”

“Yeah, but back then she was using her pills and now that she’s sober she can’t do that.”

“How is she, by the way?” I put my fork down after my last bite of food. “With the AA meetings and all that.”

“She’s doing better. She’ll be a year sober in a couple of weeks.”

“That’s great!” My lips turn into a huge smile and he mirrors me.

“It really is. Ever since my parents divorced she seemed so lost. All the things she did because of the booze… I’m so happy she is finally better and stable.”

“I’m really glad to hear that.”

“Yeah. Seeing her interacting with everyone was so great. She’s a completely different person now.”

“I can’t wait to meet her.” We both smile.

When the waiter comes over to take our plates, he asks if we would like to check the menu for some dessert.

“Sure.” I smile and grab the menu he handed me.

“Are you sure you want dessert?” Matt asks me after the waiter leaves.

I look at him for a few seconds trying to understand his question. “I don’t know, that’s why I’m checking the menu. Why do you ask?”

“I just thought that plate was a little too big. I didn’t think you still had room for more food.” Once again, I just stare at him.

I call back the waiter and ask for the chocolate cake.

daisy 🌼

how was the date?

are you coming back to

the dorm? 🙄

🍆🍆

Allie

DAISY!!

Jess

Looolll

Allie

It was great

We talked a lot

And we’re going

to his place

daisy 🌼

get it!!!!

at least one of us can

Jess

Speak for yourself

daisy 🌼

WHAT??

jessica

are you saying youre

seeing someone??

Jamie

wait

why don’t i know this??

Allie

Jess!

Now you have to say something!

Jess

What? No!

I’m single af

I’m just saying to speak

for yourself

Geez

Now tell us about the date

Allie

We went to a new restaurant

and the food was so good!

And then he actually asked if

I was sure I wanted dessert

I mean

Hello?

Of course I do

daisy 🌼

if he had asked me that i

wouldve ordered two

who doesnt order dessert?

crazy people

thats who

Jamie

i’m with daisy on this one

daisy 🌼

thank you

Allie

I gotta go now

We arrived at his place

Bye

daisy 🌼

🍆

I put my phone away rolling my eyes and smiling because of the texts. We get out of the car and enter the house. His dad owns a big technology company, so everything in it was super modern and a bit too much. The whole thing was really minimalistic and the kitchen was to die for. His step-mother bakes all the time, so that was a must.

“Did I tell you that my dad is on a business trip and is only coming back in two months?” He pulls me in and wraps his arms around me.

“I think you may have forgotten to mention that.” A smile spreads across my face.

“Well, he is.”

“What should we do about that?”

“I have a few ideas.” He kisses me and leads me towards his bedroom.