They must look like an odd couple. Him with his short blond hair, tanned brown skin, cream cargo shorts with a blue polo shirt. Her in a black dress with colorful Day of the Dead skulls, black gladiator sandals with matching toenail polish and fingernails, and bright red lipstick with her white complexion. Destiny told her not to worry what they looked like together, but she was practically giddy that Dawn listened to her about going for it with Gordon. Amber, her best friend, and work colleague was a bit more hesitant to jump on the Gordon wagon. Sure, she thought he was hot and had teased her, but Amber knew all about the annoying neighbor who turned into a friend and then a crush. So Amber also knew Gordon’s usual type, and Dawn knew she wasn’t it.
Closing her eyes, she fought the rising unease that surfaced whenever she thought about what she wasn’t to Gordon. He was going to leave her. He would get bored of her and figure out she was nothing like what he wanted and move on, breaking her heart into a million pieces.
Taking a deep breath and slowly letting it out, she opened her eyes and pasted a smile on her face. She told herself to enjoy Gordon while she could and to stop dwelling on what may or may not happen while focusing on what was happening now. She was going to have fun. She was going to be herself. She would make great memories with Gordon.
Letting go of Gordon’s hand, she went over to the Alice in Wonderland characters and sat at the Mad Hatter’s table. She got her phone out and passed it to Gordon. “Take a photo. I’ve never been here, and I like the theme. I think this one suits me.”
Gordon chuckled. “Yes, it does. I don’t think you could be in Wonderland though.” Posing as he snapped pics on her phone and his own, she wondered what he meant.
“Why not?”
“Because you couldn’t live without your technology.”
Giving a dramatic sigh, she placed her head on the table. “So true.”
Gordon walked away and came back with an older couple in their late sixties, maybe early seventies. He spoke to them and gave them his phone. They nodded and then he came over, picked her up, and sat down placing her across his lap. “Turn and give them your real smile.” Freezing at his words, she shot a glance at him. He knew her smile had been fake? He winked at her, leaned in a kissed her. “Stop thinking of whatever gives you that face.” He tickled her sides, and she giggled.
“Hey, that’s not fair. I hate being tickled.”
“You only hate it because you’re so ticklish. Now turn so they can take a picture.” Turning, Dawn was surprised to see the couple holding their phones and grinning. The flashes were going, and Dawn relaxed against Gordon, his arms circled her as his finger stroked up and down her arm.
The couple came over still grinning. “We took a lot. You two look so happy together,” the man winked at Gordon.
“Thank you. We appreciate it.” Gordon took our phones and shook the man’s hand.
The woman clasped her hand. “The love you have for each other is easy to see. It’s so nice to see that on display these days.”
“Thanks so much for taking the shots.” Unsure what else to say, she nodded.
“It’s nice to see a young couple out and not cooped up on those fan dangle devices.”
Gordon circled her waist and brought her closer against him. “Thank you. It was nice meet you. We better get moving so we can see everything as I have a reservation at one of the restaurants in an hour. I hope you enjoy your night.”
“Oh, we will. I have plans,” the man said. As a cheeky smile spread over his face, he turned, grabbed the woman, and squeezed her arse.
Dawn couldn’t contain the giggle. “I wonder how long they’ve been together. He still seems feisty for his age.” She bit her lip and eased out of his embrace. “Although I don’t think there is much difference between you and him. He’s probably you in ten years.” She laughed as he growled and chased her as she ran down the path. She didn’t get far before he caught her.
“You need to learn to respect your elders,” he whispered in her ear as he gathered her into his embrace.
Sighing in contentment, she snuggled for a moment as she looked around her at the gardens. “So we’re a couple?” It needed to be asked. It had been days, and they hadn’t talked about what they were.
Gordon turned her and tilted her head up. “Yes. We are a couple. I want you to know that you are what I’ve been looking for. I’m sorry it took me so long to see, to take the chance. Dawn, I’m not going to lie. I was, am, worried that I’m too old for you. That our differences are too big. I mean, you have the worst taste in music and don’t get me star—”
Hitting his chest, she narrowed her gaze and gave a mock growl. “We can’t all have my great taste in music. And as for the age thing, haven’t you heard that age is only a number. And…” Grabbing his hands in hers, she placed them on her arse. “You’re only as old as the woman you feel. So, right now, you’re only twenty-two.” Getting up on tiptoes, she kissed him, lingering to whisper, “They say opposites attract. I like our differences. Think how board you’d be with someone who liked everything you did.”
Gordon rested his forehead against hers. “You amaze me sometimes.” His lips brushed hers. “You’re right.”
For the first time in days—no, months, she felt happiness consume her. Maybe this could work. She needed to listen to her own advice. Gordon wasn’t what she thought she wanted, but he is what she needed.
Chapter Four
The next couple of weeks flew by. Strangely enough, not much changed besides she now went out to dinner and the movies with Gordon, and he slept in her bed. They didn’t spend much time at his house, and Dawn was fine with that. Gordon’s house was sparse and bland.
Gordon wasn’t working. He’d told her he was getting everything in order for America. They were to leave in two days, and Dawn was both nervous and excited. She thought she had fallen for Gordon before, but the last few week’s making love and holding and cuddling each other, talking about children—he wanted at least two, she was happy with three or four, she wanted a big family—and talking about what her goals were for her business and the future, had her falling in love with him deeper. He encouraged her with everything she’d told him about wanting to be finically stable before having children and building her business enough that it would bring extra security.