Unlikely Match

by Laura Bradbury

“Don’t worry about anything else. You can squeeze my hand as hard as you need to. And I’ll squeeze yours too.” “But your pretty rings.”

“Not over there, remember? Here. Look at me.” “I’m always looking at you,” he muttered almost angrily.

“She’s not only smart, but she has people skills and marketing savvy that don’t come to me naturally at all and that I can only hope to acquire one of these days.

and you have those beautiful brown eyes.”

“I kissed you because I dream about you every night. I can’t work because I fantasize all day every day of how it would be if you and I had twenty-four hours together, or even twelve, in a big bed or even on one of your pink velvet couches. The things I want to do with you—”

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. In my deepest, most secret heart, I wanted more life, more of this, more of him, more everything.

Tom’s lips were curved into a peaceful smile, and he looked completely unguarded. I wanted more time with him like this. I wanted more time for everything.

I was going to be dressed like Barney.

Now I really didn’t want to leave this world if it had this look of Tom’s in it.

“Thank you for staying with her.” “I wouldn’t be anywhere else,”

With an endearingly awkward wave, Tom left.

“I’m not going to get my happy ending,” I murmured, trying to feel out the sharp edges of this new reality.

“It’s going to be so perfect when you come back too,” he continued, still in his own world. “We can work hard, then sneak out for lunch together, and—”

“We’re going to set the world on fire, you and me.”

“I was thinking. What if I move in and take care of you for as long as you like? I can’t stand the idea of you being alone. What do you think?”

“You’re going to be out before you know it, and I’m going to love you into feeling like yourself again.”

“I thought with you I’d found the home I’ve been looking for my whole life. Are you telling me I was wrong?”

No matter what had happened since, Tom had created one of the greatest moments in my life.

He placed his hands bracingly on my shoulders. It was touch but not at all the type I craved. “I propose we be friends.”

“I vow to you I won’t ever stray beyond the bounds of friendship or put you in any awkward situation. I’ll always be there for you, but you’ll be free from any obligation toward me. I want you to be able to trust me, because I am determined to stay in your life… If you’ll have me.”

“You have to stop thanking me, okay? I intend to be a good friend, Jules. I’m trying to learn how.”

“I’m just finding my heart. I can’t risk it like that—not again.”

“There’s no map for us,” I said, as much to myself as to him. Tom shook his head. “I don’t think there is, but I don’t regret any of it.” “Me neither.” I could hear his heart thumping now, and mine fell into the same rhythm. “I want nothing but happiness for you, in whichever form it comes.”

Love…especially love. Tom was black or white. All or nothing. Maybe I hadn’t been ready before, but now I wanted it all. “You’re perfect just the way you are,” I said.

“You look perfect.”

“Are you ready for me, Thunder Días?” “Of course I’m not, but I’m sure as hell not going to let that stop me anymore.”

Love for him surged through me, and I caught his hand holding the box in mine. “It’s me, Tom. We’re allowed mistakes, remember? You can’t screw this up.”

“Jules Kelly. My Sparks. Can I be your happy ending? Will you marry me, and we can continue this adventure as husband and wife?” “Yes,” I said, my voice shaking. “I want to spend as many more minutes with you as I can.”

Life wasn’t perfect, and Tom and I certainly weren’t, but perfect moments were everywhere, like Tom slipping the engagement ring on my finger with trembling fingers.

He not only gave me the gift of time to experience more perfect moments but filled my heart every day with a love that created them.