36
Los Angeles, Sebastian
I watched Mia with a sense of contentment as she devoured a corn dog. We were standing in line at Starbucks, waiting to get our much-needed morning coffee fix. Being with Mia felt like the most natural thing in the world, and every moment spent in her presence was a reminder of just how right it all felt.
As she indulged in her corn dog, Mia turned to me with a warm smile. “Do you want some?” she asked, holding the box of corn dogs in front of me. I shook my head gently, knowing that corn dogs weren’t really my thing. “No, thanks,” I replied with a grin.
I couldn’t help but notice the twinkle in her eyes as she enjoyed her snack. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and I found myself drawn to her even more. “Is that all you’re going to eat today?” I asked, furrowing my brows in concern.
Mia chuckled, her laughter a delightful melody in the early morning air. “I’m actually craving a juicy beef burger,” she admitted, her eyes lighting up at the thought.
A mischievous grin tugged at my lips. “McDonald’s?” I suggested, already knowing the answer.
Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, McDonald’s would be perfect,” she replied, her enthusiasm infectious.
Finally, our turn came to order our drinks at Starbucks. The drive-thru lane had been unusually long that morning, but it had given us ample time to chat and enjoy each other’s company. “What are you going to drink?” I asked, glancing at the menu board.
Mia’s face lit up as she made her choice. “An iced vanilla latte,” she declared, her voice filled with anticipation.
I placed our order, trying to hide my own eagerness for the coffee that would soon grace my taste buds. With our drinks secured, we exited the Starbucks drive-thru and made our way to the nearby McDonald’s drive-thru, where the promise of a beef burger awaited.
Once at McDonald’s, we quickly placed our order. I opted for plain fries, while Mia eagerly requested her beloved beef burger. The smell of freshly cooked food filled the car as we waited for our meal to be prepared.
As we parked and unwrapped our delicious treasures, Mia couldn’t contain her excitement. “This is so good,” she exclaimed between bites of her burger.
I watched her with affectionate amusement, my heart swelling at her sheer joy. She offered me a bite of her burger, and I couldn’t resist tasting the happiness that radiated from her.
“You know,” she began between bites, “I used to eat burgers every day when I was in college.”
I chuckled, the image of a younger Mia devouring burgers day after day forming in my mind. “Really?” I asked, genuinely curious.
Mia nodded, her eyes glinting with nostalgia. “Yep,” she admitted, “I was a burger fanatic back then. It was cheap, filling, and perfect for a busy student’s budget.”
“Sounds like a delicious college life,” I remarked with a grin. “I, on the other hand, was a Ramen guy.”
Mia’s laughter filled the car, a sweet and melodic sound that warmed my heart. “Ah, Ramen,” she said, still giggling. “The classic college staple. I can’t blame you for that choice.”
I laughed.
“What do you want to do now?” I asked, turning to Mia as we sat in the car. The possibilities for our day together seemed endless, and I was eager to hear her suggestion.
Mia shrugged her shoulders, a contemplative expression on her face. “I don’t know, maybe hit the mall?” she suggested, her eyes bright with anticipation.
“That’s a good idea,” I replied, a smile forming on my lips as I started the car and backed out of our parking spot. The mall was always a great way to spend time together, exploring shops, trying out new things, and enjoying each other’s company.
As we drove, Mia’s expression shifted, and she hesitated. “How about our stalker, though?” she asked, her voice laced with nervousness.
I reached over to gently hold her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Don’t worry,” I assured her, my voice calm and steady. “You’re safe with me.”
Mia’s anxiousness seemed to dissipate as she looked into my eyes. I brought her hand to my lips and planted a soft kiss on her knuckles. A warm smile spread across her face, and it was clear that my words had helped ease her worries.
Once we arrived at the mall, we wandered through its bustling corridors, exploring shops of all kinds. Mia’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as she stared at a ring displayed in the window of Tiffany and Co. I made a mental note to search it up later, secretly planning a surprise.
We ventured into Victoria’s Secret, Forever Twenty One, and Chanel, each store offering its own unique treasures. It was a delightful mix of window shopping and making mental wish lists.
After satisfying our curiosity and enjoying the retail therapy, we stumbled upon a game arcade. The vibrant lights and the sounds of games being played beckoned us inside.
Mia’s eyes widened with excitement as she scanned the array of games. “Let’s try this,” she suggested, pointing to a colorful claw machine filled with plush toys.
I chuckled, feeling a playful spirit take over. “Sure thing, but I’ll warn you, my claw game skills are legendary,” I teased, flashing a confident grin.
Mia rolled her eyes with a smirk. “We’ll see about that,” she retorted, stepping up to the machine with determination.
We took turns, each trying our hand at capturing a stuffed animal. The claw descended with a hopeful grasp, but it was clear that the odds were stacked against us. After a few failed attempts, we couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“This is impossible!” Mia exclaimed, shaking her head as another plush toy slipped from the grasp of the claw.
I grinned and tried my luck once more, determined to prove my legendary skills. To my surprise, the claw managed to secure a fluffy teddy bear, and I proudly presented it to Mia.
She applauded me with mock admiration. “I guess your skills aren’t too shabby after all,” she conceded, accepting the teddy bear with a smile.
As we walked out of the mall Mia looked at me and asked, “what are we?”
I looked at her. “We are husband and wife.”