The Expiration Date

by Leslie McElroy

I look down at Ginny and see that she is also beaming at her owner, almost as if she is completely captivated by his presence. Join the club, girl.

“Not in a million years, babe. My mother taught me that a man always pays for his girl’s meal.” Well, that does it. I guess I’m his girl now.

Without notice, I feel Aidan’s hand make its way around my waist and pull me in closer. His eyes don’t drift from his male co-star. It’s like he just knew that I was starting to feel insecure. If there is any indication that he registers Natasha’s presence, he hides it masterfully.

You need to do something, Haley. Desperate times call for desperate measures. I know what I have to do.

But we couldn’t hold off any longer. I wanted the world to know that she is mine.”

My body starts to vibrate all over, and not just because I am kissing my boss. But also because I have never felt a kiss like this–ever.

He isn’t letting up–at all.

My nerves get the best of me. I start to break free, but am unsuccessful because his hand presses firmly against the small of my back and his other hand cups my own jaw. He is really kissing me back, exploring my mouth in turn and pressing his body harder against my delicate fingers.

Was Aidan about to kiss me? In his apartment? Without the paparazzi taking our photos or anyone else around to witness it?

“Nope. Whatever you want. Maybe a Nora Ephron one. She’s your favorite writer, right?”

Its the little things

Aidan hasn’t stopped talking about you since you started working for him.” My eyes shoot directly to Aidan, and now he is crimson. I press my lips together to stifle a laugh. I’ve never seen him so flustered before. He’s been talking about me?

“He goes on and on about how amazing you are,”

I am about to meet two of the most important people in Haley’s life, and that makes me more nervous than pretending to date her for the tabloids.

“LeAnn, your daughter is probably the best person that I’ve ever met in my life.”

“You must be Robert. I’m Aidan. Haley’s boyfriend.”

It is then that I see it on her outstretched left hand, waiting to shake Aidan’s hand. A ring. And not just any ring. My ring.

Nuh uh

“So special, in fact, that I can still remember everything about her on that day.”

“She was wearing a light gray cardigan, a loose white scoop neck t-shirt, straight jeans and ballet flats. Her hair was up, twisted with a pen, holding up her bun. Tendrils were falling down, framing her face so perfectly.”

“I can’t believe you remember that.” “I remember more than you think.”

“Does he recognize when you are anxious? Does he rub your back when you are stressed? Does he open doors for you? Does he let you have the last bite from time to time?”

“Yes, Mom. He actually does.”

“You think I need to see your face to know that you are closing in on yourself with your thoughts?”

“Not a chance, Hales. Besides, I’ll do this all day if I could see that look on Robert’s face stay there for the remainder of the weekend. Like he wants what I have.”

decide to go down to the beach and sit and read a book that has been burning a hole in my TBR pile for way too long.

Real

“A little close, aren’t you?” I could listen to that deep, dare I say it, possessive voice all day and night.

Same sista

“Because you are looking up at me like I’ve never seen you look at me before.”

“Necessity?” Aidan pulls his eyebrows together, then smiles and whispers in my ear, “Absolutely not, Hales. I wanted to kiss you.”

but I can’t admit that to Aidan. I don’t want to scare him with the fact that I am, despite my best efforts, falling for him.

Even though the majority of the attendees are looking at the bride and groom professing their love to each other, I can sense a pair of eyes staring directly at me.

I know many women think that men who hide their emotions are sexy. I think the opposite.

No truer word have been said

I swing as hard as I can and hit Robert square in the face. He falls to the floor. Yup, he is definitely going to have a busted lip. But I don’t fucking care. That bastard deserved it.

Yayyy

“Are you okay? Did you hurt your hand? Is it broken?”

Period haley

You come near her again, and I promise you, you won’t get up off the ground once I’m through with you.” “Is that a fucking threat, pretty boy?” “It’s a fucking guarantee.

Just remember that on the best days and the worst days, love is always going to be a part of the equation. It is the foundation to any secure and lasting relationship. It is the common thread that binds all of us together and that thread is going to fray at times, but it’s also going to mend in others. Love never fails us. It finds a way into our lives when we least expect it.”

Haley glances over to me, eyes glittering from the twinkling lights and tears. That’s it. I’m done for.

Teeheehee

You make it harder to breathe when I’m around you, Hales.”

That was almost four months ago.

What the actual flip

“You were my rainbow in the storm that was my life, Haley Swann. And I love you.”

You are more than enough for me. You are my entire universe, Hales.”