My December Darling

by Lauren Asher

“Tembleque. Abuela and Papi’s favorite.”

I rub the back of my neck subconsciously before scolding myself for looking nervous. Aiden’s mouth opens, but I shake my head to stop him from speaking.

“Luke woke up at the crack of dawn to start making it so it would have enough time to chill in the fridge.”

Catalina places her cup on the table, pushes Aiden aside, and wraps her arms around my waist. “Thank you.” I hold her firmly against my chest. “You’re welcome.”

“I appreciate you going through the trouble of making it.” “See, I wanted to impress this girl…” Aiden chokes on a laugh, and I elbow him in the ribs hard enough to make him stop. “I have a feeling she is more than impressed.”

Catalina cuts my question off with a searing kiss that makes my breath hitch.

Yippee

“Your heart is beating fast.” “Because you make me nervous.”

“Nervous?” She cracks a smile. “Me?” “Yeah. You.” “Why?” she asks with a smile in her voice. “Because you’re you.” “And who am I exactly?” The girl I can see myself falling for, even if she has no intention of falling with me. “Someone special,” I answer instead.

“Were you expecting some kind of love confession after only three dates?”

“I think you put two-and-two together real fast.”

“But that doesn’t mean I’m not open to another.” Her confession makes me elated. “Really?” She rises on the tips of her toes, and her mouth hovers over mine. “But just one.” We’ll see about that. She seals her comment with a kiss, and goddammit, I know it’ll never be enough with this girl. It’s a gut feeling, and one that solidifies with every interaction we have.

but ours as a couple has just begun.

I feel like I’m in high school again, constantly thinking of my crush and counting down the hours until I see her again.

I want Catalina to be begging for me to touch her. To fuck her hard⁠—

Oh mh god

“I’ve never seen her look at someone else like that, so whatever you’re doing, keep it up.”

“Answer me.”

“No.” “No what?” “No, this feels right.” “We can do better than that.”

“Lucas.” Her nickname earns her a hard suck on her clit. “Say my name.” “Fuck me first and maybe I’ll remember it.” “Wrong answer.”

“I want you any way I can have you.”

There isn’t a single doubt in my mind that I could fall in love with this girl. In fact, I hope I do. Just like I hope she can love me back.

“Will you marry me?” I look down at the ring nestled inside the box he built just for me. Choosing to love him for the rest of my life is the easiest decision I’ve ever made—almost as easy as saying one little word. “Yes.”