The Question

“I can’t believe you’re finally gonna do this,” his brother said to him.

“Yeah, it’s about damn time, if you ask me,” his friend added.

“Our little man is growing up,” his sister said, faking being choked up.

Adam laughed and grabbed his coat.

“Wish me luck,” he said as he walked out of the door.

Walking to pick Layla up, he realized how nervous he was, just as nervous as he was when he had decided to ask her out.

He had no idea what to do. He didn’t really know why, they had been friends for so long and they were comfortable around each other. He hadn’t realized he was staring at her until his brother came up behind him.

“Just ask her,” his brother had said. “Honestly, the worst thing she can do is say no.”

“Yeah, and that won’t be awkward at all,” Adam had said sarcastically.

“You want me to ask her?” That was his sister, he knew some smart ass remark was coming. “You can write her a note and I’ll pass it to her.” She laughed at her own joke.

Adam had rolled his eyes.

Once she stopped laughing, she had looked at her brother and said in a more serious tone, “Look, go and ask her. She’ll say yes.”

Adam had sighed and steeled himself. Now or never, he told himself.

He had walked over to Layla and asked to speak to her for a minute.

She opened the door when he knocked and greeted him with a big kiss. Tonight, he had told her, was going to be casual because they were just going to walk around the city. Closing the door behind her, she took his hand, lacing her fingers through his.

He smiled down at her, loving her touch; she stood on tiptoe and kissed him again. She really did love this man. Two years of dating and she still couldn’t get enough of him.

“So, Mr. Roberts, what plans do you have for us tonight?”

He shrugged. “Nothing really, just wanted to hang out with you.”

“Sounds good to me.”

They chatted as they wandered around. When they walked past a darkened storefront, she stopped and pointed.

“Hey remember when that used to be that fancy French place? The one where we sorta had our first date?”

Adam looked up at the building, “Yeah I remember.”

The romantic lighting and soft music playing made for a wonderful atmosphere, but they two were still both nervous and unsure of themselves.

For some reason, Adam thought a fancy French restaurant would be a good idea. Honestly neither of them really liked fancy food. They both were more of pizza and beer people.

“Adam, really this is too much,” Layla had said staring at the prices. “And I really don’t know what foie gras is.”

“Yeah, this… this wasn’t the best idea huh?” He looked down embarrassed.

She smiled at him and touched his hand. “So let’s get out of here. Go get some real food? I know you know a good place for pizza.”

He had nodded and they left, the hostess frowning after their retreating backs, thinking that some people just didn’t appreciate fine dining.

They had found an open pizza place a few blocks down and grabbed two slices. Then they walked around the city, just talking like they always did, comfortable in each other’s presence.

She had grabbed his hand at one point to get his attention and he didn’t let go for the rest of the night.

That had been good.

“You know, I never did ask you why you picked that place,” she said to him heading in the direction of the pizza place out of habit.

“I think I was trying to impress you. I don’t know, I was so nervous.”

Layla chuckled. “Yeah, me too.”

“Really? I couldn’t tell.”

The two of them stopped and grabbed something to eat at that same place. It had become a regular hang out for the two of them. Since it was open late, they would always stop there after parties or when they were up late. Sometimes he’d grab something and bring it home for her when she was up late working and he knew she hadn’t eaten all day.

The owner grinned big when he saw the two of them walk in. He called them his best customers and was always happy to see them both.

Three dates after their first, they had ended up back at that pizza place. They were watching a football game on the new TV the owner had just installed after Adam had suggested that it would bring in more customers. Sitting on the same side of the booth, with Adam’s arm around her, they both stared up at the screen.

“I’m telling you, Layla, Eagles are going all the way this year.”

“You say that every year, Roberts.”

“Yeah, but this time I’m right.”

They watched as Jalen Hurts made another touchdown pass. Adam cheered and Layla groaned. They were steamrolling over her team.

“What did I say?”

She had looked over at him and started to laugh. Adam had pizza sauce on his chin and looked ridiculous.

“What?” He said, confused.

“Your face,” she choked out, still laughing.

“My face is funny?”

Layla reached over and wiped off the sauce, caressing his cheek afterwards. He was beginning to grow his beard back, but she enjoyed the roughness under her palm.

Without thinking, without hesitation, and to her surprise, he had leaned forward and kissed her on the lips. That had been the first time he had done it, and they both wondered why either of them waited so long.

After getting their food and chatting with the owner, the two walked on, still talking and laughing.

They made their way towards a park near the riverfront. Taking their food, Layla sat down on their favorite bench. Adam sat next to her. She loved this particular park, it was always so peaceful. She often came here to read or think or people watch, but mostly when she needed to be alone.

It had only been a few months into their relationship, and everything had been going great. Layla had never been happier. But today she wasn't so sure. They had just had their first fight and it was a bad one. There was some yelling and she ended up in tears. Layla stormed out and walked to her favorite spot at the park by the river.

She ignored all the calls and texts he and her friends sent, wanting to be alone. She had stared out over the water, letting the view calm her.

Adam had been worried sick. He knew he had said some things that were hurtful and he instantly regretted them. He didn’t want to fight and now he couldn’t find her. She wouldn’t answer his calls. He was pacing the floor at his brother’s place, phone in hand, just in case she called.

“Why did I say that? Why did I say any of that?” He said more to himself than to his brother Scott.

“You were both upset. It happens, now you just gotta find her and apologize.”

“That’s the thing, I don’t know where she is!”

“Okay just stop and think for a minute. What does she usually do when she’s upset? Does she go anywhere?”

“I don’t…” He stopped. He knew exactly where she was.

He ran out and jogged all the way to the park, looking around for her. He found her sitting on a bench, looking out at the water.

He had slid onto the bench next to her. She wouldn’t look at him, she was still hurt.

After a beat he said, “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what else I can say.”

Nodding her head, she said “You really hurt me with what you said.”

“I know, baby, and I didn’t mean to. I just… I don’t have an excuse. I’m so so sorry.”

Layla had finally looked at him. His eyes were red and he had tears on his cheeks. He sniffed. “I don’t like fighting with you. I don’t want to again. I regretted what I said as soon as I said it. I hurt you and I’m so sorry for that. Please, Layla, forgive me.”

She nodded. “I’m sorry too, I said some things I didn’t mean too. Can you forgive me?”

“Yes, of course, always. I love you.”

“I love you too, Adam.”

Once she finished eating, Layla walked up to the rail and leaned on it. She gazed out over the water. The sun had gone down and she was watching the city lights twinkle in the reflection. After watching her for a minute, Adam stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She relaxed into his embrace. He loved holding her and she loved the feel of his arms around her, not only did she feel safe, but she felt loved.

She always felt that at his touch. From when he’d put a hand on the small of her back when they were walking around, to when he’d wrap her in a hug and kiss her after being away for a while, to when she’d lay in his arms to sleep after making love.

They hadn’t been able to keep their hands off each other that night out. Their friends picked at them for it but neither of them had cared. They wanted each other and right about then, they were about to rip each other’s clothes off.

When they finally made it to her home, she had barely gotten the door closed before Adam was all over her. They both had been teasing each other all night, touching, caressing, kissing. All of it had been building up. They had decided to wait before they had sex. Then he got a call from his job and was gone on a business trip for a few months. By the time he got back home it had taken all her willpower not to pull him down to the floor as soon as he walked in the door.

Adam had pinned her against the wall.

“I’ve been thinking about this all night,” he had said in between kisses as his hands moved further down her body caressing her thighs, pushing her dress up further. His hands were busy with her panties, taking them off and tossing them to the floor.

He had knelt in front of her, spreading her legs and kissing up her thighs.

She cried out as his lips met with her lower ones, and his tongue slid into her soaking wet core. He moaned at how wet she was for him, and praised how good she tasted. Licking and sucking until she came undone in his mouth.

Not able to wait much longer he stood up, undid his pants and wrapped one of her legs around his waist, entering her stretching her. they both moved against each other, one of his hands gripping her thigh, the other pressed against the wall for leverage. her arms around his back, nails digging in.

They both had come soon after, unable to hold out long. Once they both had caught their breath, he had picked her up and carried her to her room and spent the rest of the weekend wrapped around each other.

Adam looked down at her and smiled. After watching her watching the view, he wasn’t as nervous as he thought he would be. Yes, this was right. This was the right moment. Thinking back on their relationship made him realize that nothing else in his life would feel more right than this. From the very beginning there was something about her. Unwrapping his arms from around her waist, he stepped back and took her hand.

Clearing his throat, he began. “Layla, I love you. From our first date, to our first kiss, even our first fight, there was always something about you that made everything right. Something that kept me coming back. I’ve been thinking about us for a while and even though I could go on and on, forever about how happy you make me and how much I love you, I won’t.”

“Adam, what?” She was confused. “What are you saying?”

“I have something I want to ask you.”

He kissed her hand and got down on one knee.