The Choice by Kate Benson

up in the afternoons once my shifts had ended to see her so I’d seen her every day since we’d moved out of the apartment. Since she’d given such short notice, she’d agreed to stay on as needed, but she wouldn’t have a schedule anymore.
    After tonight, I have no idea when I’ll be seeing her again.
    Chase and I spend the morning lounging around the house in our underwear until noon before we make ourselves get up and run errands. Although the day is very domestic, it’s nothing like I’d worried it would be when he initially asked me to move in.
    I’d been so concerned that we’d get caught up in the everyday monotony of paying bills and domestic life that we’d stop experiencing the passion I’d come to crave. I never considered that moving in together would be the same as every incredible weekend we’d shared, the only difference now is that our time together never had to end.
    Once we got home, Chase took me in the shower before we got ready for our night out together. Before heading to the bar, we’ d decided to go out to dinner.
    As I add the last details to my makeup, Chase walks into our bathroom and sits on the side of the massive tub and watches me silently. I glance down at him and return the smile he’s got on his face with a chuckle.
    “What are you grinning about?” I ask.
    “I’m just happy, Baby.”
    “I’m happy, too,” I smile wider.
    “Good,” he says as he stands, moving behind me and allowing his eyes to roam over me. I’m wearing a destroyed, denim miniskirt, an off the shoulder black Ramones top and matching black booties I’d thrown on. My makeup is smoky and my hair is down and straight, nearly hitting my waist. “You look hot as shit, Babe.”
    “Thank you, ” I chuckle, blushing as I turn to face him. He was wearing my favorite pair of jeans and a long sleeved, grey t-shirt that hugged the muscles of his arms and chest without looking like he’d planned it that way. Letting out a small sigh of appreciation at the sight of the perfect man in front of me, I rest my hands on his insane chest and shake my head in disbelief. “You look hot, too, Cupcake. I can’t believe I get to see you naked.”
    “Anytime you want to, Baby,” he laughs and leans in to give me a slow kiss. “Are you ready?”
    “Yeah,” I tell him as I gently rub the gloss from his lips and take his hand to follow him to his truck.
    For dinner, Chase takes me to a barbecue joint that’s both local and lively. Loud fluorescent signs and even louder patrons fill the place, but in less than ten minutes we’re seated at a booth. Chase surprises me by cuddling up next to me on my side of the booth and tucking me into his shoulder.
    Since the place is packed, it takes a little longer than normal for our food. We pass the time easily, though, talking about our plans to visit Florida next month for Emily’s wedding.
    “Did you tell your parents that I moved in?” I ask and he looks down at me with a cautious grin.
    “Yeah, I actually just talked to them today. They said to tell you hi.”
    I can tell there’s something else he wants to say but is holding back.
    “What else?”
    “Nothing,” he says, taking a long pull from his beer.
    “Liar!” I accuse loudly, twisting his nipple and causing him to nearly spit his beer across the table.
    “ Ow! Shit, Baby!” he laughs, rubbing his nipple defensively. “It’s nothing, really, I promise!” He keeps his hand over his nipples as I cut my eyes at him suspiciously.
    “I think you’re up to no good,” I say, tipping my beer bottle in his direction before taking a swig. “I’ll find out what you’re hiding from me.”
    “I’m not lying, Baby!”
    “ You’re hiding something! I’ll find out what it is and when I do, it’s your ass, Chase!” He laughs at my reaction and I turn to face him, still trying to read him. “I hate surprises.”
    “You told me you liked surprises,” he eyes me curiously.
    “I just said that to get in your