Keeping London

Chapter 2-3

When we pull up to Loïc’s house, Paige’s car is already in the driveway. For about six weeks now—basically, since Sarah left—we’ve all been getting together at least once a week to do dinner.

Tonight, Cooper’s cooking. We rotate that responsibility, but more times than not, it ends up being Cooper’s turn. That might have something to do with the fact that he’s the best cook out of us all. A few weeks ago, when it was my turn, I managed to burn the crap out of a ready-bake lasagna. I ended up ordering Thai takeout. I really need to work on my culinary skills.

A wall of deliciousness hits us as soon as Loïc and I open the door. I inhale deeply, realizing how hungry I am. In the busyness of our mega shopping day, we forgot to eat lunch. But it was worth it because I got some adorable outfits for California.

“It smells amazing. What did you make?” I ask Cooper as I enter the kitchen.

“I seared some salmon and topped it with a cream sauce. Then, we have herb-roasted veggies and scalloped potatoes for sides.”

“Sounds incredible. I’m starving.”

“Oh, I made you a cheesecake from scratch for dessert,” Cooper adds.

I throw my arms around him. “Have I told you lately how much I love you?”

Cooper laughs.

Loïc chimes in, “Don’t believe her, brother. She’s only using you for your food.”

“Hey, I resent that.” I release my hold on Cooper. “I would still love him even if he wasn’t such a fantastic cook. Just not as much.” I shrug.

“Rude,” Cooper objects dramatically.

“So, how’d ya do today?” Paige asks, entering the kitchen.

“Oh, great. I’m all ready for Cali.” I grin.

“Awesome. I can’t wait to see what you got!” Paige claps her hands together.

“See?” I say to Loïc. “Some people have a true love for the art of shopping.”

“I think I did pretty well, considering I watched you try on clothes for five hours straight, some outfits multiple times,” Loïc responds.

“Oh, like it was difficult,” I scoff.

“Difficult? No. Annoying? Yes.”

“Uh…” I protest, my mouth agape.

“Babe, you tried on a hundred outfits, and all of them looked amazing…which I told you many times. Then, after all of that, you ended up going back to the very first store we went to, and you bought the first five outfits you tried on,” Loïc argues.

“I told you, it’s a process. I can’t just settle on the first piece of clothing I see. I had to make sure I explored all my options.”

“What options?” Maggie asks as she bounces into the kitchen with her scrubs on.

“I went shopping today to get clothes for Cali this week,” I answer.

“Oh! I want to see what you got but later. Let me go shower really quick, and I’ll be ready to eat.” She gives Cooper a quick kiss. “It smells heavenly, baby.” She continues, “I might or might not have puke splatters all over me. One of my patients was not digging the cafeteria’s beef stroganoff.”

Paige and I let out a collective, “Ew,” as we watch Maggie prance away in the deceptively cute purple scrubs with kittens.

“So, it’s a little over two weeks until you head out,” Paige says to Loïc and Cooper. “Any exciting plans?”

“It’s not necessary to constantly remind us, Paige. We’re all aware of the looming date,” I respond before the guys have a chance to.

“What? I’m just making conversation. You know what they say. Better late than never.” She shrugs.

“But you’re not late. This conversation is early—like, two weeks early,” I argue.

Cooper chuckles before answering Paige, “Not too much really. Going to spend as much time with Maggie as possible and visit all the family.”

Loïc adds, “Just spending time with London and, of course, meeting her entire family.”

“Aw, are you nervous?” I ask with a giggle.

“No, not all. If I can put up with you, I’m sure they’ll be cake.”

“Well, that’s unnecessary.” I throw a glare in Loïc’s direction.

He takes a step toward me and pulls me into his arms. His lips tickle my neck as he says, “You know I’m kidding.”

“They’re going to love you. You know that, right?” I ask him.

“I’m not worried,” he says before kissing my forehead.

“Good. You shouldn’t be.” I smile up to him, meeting his deep blue eyes that never fail to steal my breath away.

It’s thrilling for me to be introducing Loïc to my family. I’ve never really brought someone home to meet my parents before. It will be another first. I’m not lying when I say that they’re going to love him. They will.

Loïc doesn’t see it, but when he truly lets someone see the real him, he’s impossible not to love. He’s special and unique, unlike anyone I’ve ever met. Once he’s given you a glimpse of his true self, he has this almost magical allure to him that makes it virtually impossible to stay away. I know Loïc and I are going to make it in the long run, why we have to make it, because I’ve seen the true him, and I know his heart. And now that I have, any sort of happy life without him would be unbearable. Regardless of what the future holds for us, I will make it through anything as long as my happily ever after with Loïc is waiting on the other side.