Page 33 of You Had Me At No

“Hey, babe,” Quinn calls out. I snap back to reality to see her coming back over to me with something in her hand.

“Whatcha got?” I ask.

She tosses me a set of keys and I look down at them curiously. I can obviously tell they’re for a vehicle. She plops herself on the towel next to me and looks at me with a shit-eating grin.

“What is this?” I ask.

She turns to look over her shoulder and that’s when I see it. The ’76 Chevy Stepside I worked on two and a half years ago. I would recognize that truck anywhere, especially given that I rebuilt it the exact way I would want it.

“Wha-What?” I stutter.

“I think what you’re trying to say is thank you.” She laughs.

I look back and forth between her and the truck, trying to wrap my head around what is happening.

“How—”

“Your buddy came into the coffee shop one day and I decided to ask him how much. He gave me a price I couldn’t refuse and I know how much you love that truck and well…” she trails off, looking at our daughter playing in the sand.

“You do so much for us,” she continues before looking back at me. “I just wanted to do something for you.”

I lean forward and give her a deep kiss. The kind of kiss you can feel in your toes and if you were anywhere but in public it woulddefinitelylead to more.

“You shouldn’t have.”

“No, I should’ve. Now shut up and go see your new truck!”

I jump up and pick up Cora before grabbing Quinn’s hand and running to the truck together. Cora squeals in my arms before I circle it. It’s just the way I remember. I can picture my own daughter having this truck one day, and it staying in the family. The rides to the beach with the windows down, stargazing in the bed. I see going apple picking and taking Christmas photos like they do with the old truck in the back. I see all the possibilities and can’t wait to watch them come to life. I put my little girl in the driver’s seat while I wrap my arm around my wife.

“Ya know, I’m really glad you said yes finally.”

“I am too.” She beams.

I kiss her and our daughter giggles.

Life is fucking perfect.