the long road to love

Harris stared across the room at Allie. He was trying not to be weird but he couldn’t help how attracted he was to her. Her long blonde hair, stunning smile, and sunshine energy drew him to her. It went beyond her looks though. Her personality drew in everyone around her. She was warm and vibrant and he wanted more of that in his life. He wanted her, he had for years now. She glanced over at him and his heart skipped a beat.

“Tonight.” He whispered to himself. “Tonight I tell her.” He looked back down at the paper he was writing and smiled to himself.

* * * *

Allie and Harris had known each other since they were in diapers. Allie was always nervous when Harris showed up at their front door. He was her first crush, but he was almost never available. She remembers when they were eleven, he went out to this field of flowers and picked her a bouquet even though he was allergic. He had hives for days but he never complained. She loved that about him, how he was always giving to others, spent a lot of time volunteering, and never afraid to just go for what he wanted. She wanted him but saying it out loud terrified her.

They had plans tonight to go get milkshakes at Dairy Pop and then go watch whatever ridiculously old movie was playing in the park that evening. It was one of their summer traditions and she looked forward to it every month. They had gone together, on double dates, or in a trio. No matter what though, it was their thing and no one could take that away.

* * * *

This was the first time in years that both Allie and Harris had been single. Harris gave Allie a big hug when he saw her and lingered for a moment longer than necessary. Allie could feel the strength of his biceps wrap around her slim figure. She felt safe here, she didn’t want him to let go.

“Hi.” Harris could feel her smile in the whisper.

“Hey.” He pulled away, their eyes locked, faces close enough to cover that last inch with a slight lean. Harris stepped back and let go of Allie. “I pre-ordered the milkshakes so we could head right over to the movie. I figured we could take my truck and lay out in the back of it. I bought a new pillow rest thing to make it more comfortable.”

“It’s for all those girls you bring down here every Friday huh?!” Allie laughed and Harris felt his heart melt a little. There was no other girl for him except her.