To Love Jason Thorn

by Ella Maise

Oh, how much I loved watching Kara’s brother Noah play with that puppy; I’d always thought we could rescue a few puppies for ourselves after he asked me to marry him.

“Oh, sweetheart,” he said softly, looking over his shoulder, the annoying dimple winking at me. “You were always the little one, not me.”

“You should look at me like you love me, Olive, the way I’m looking at you.”

I wanted her to look at me. I wanted her to see me when I was kissing her.

I asked, “Do you see me, Olive?”

Her voice was nothing more than a whisper when she answered me. “I’ve always seen just you, Jason.”

I wanted to own those secret smiles just as much I wanted to own her beautiful heart. I wanted to be the reason for their existence.

My heart was ready to be hers if she wanted to take it for herself and keep it for an eternity.

My heart ached with love for a little girl who in some ways had always belonged to me.

“That’s a wrap, folks!”