The Perfect Gift

Ch. 23

"Is that so?" She questioned.

"You can thank me later." He nodded with a wink.

"Mhmm, we'll see." She said.

Soon enough, the server came over and took their orders. Ricky went for the chicken kabobs and Nini opted for the gyro and they shared a bottle of wine.

"So..." Ricky said as he reached across the table to grab her hand. "Have you enjoyed the city? I'm sorry this week didn't go exactly like I had planned with my parents bombshell, and I know that I was a little difficult dealing with that news, but I still hoped you liked it." Ricky rambled.

"Honestly Ricky, I've had the best time. Mainly because I'm here with you, so that makes it all worth while." She said honestly. He smiled brightly.

"So does that mean you'd be willing to come back? Because I have to say... Chicago is a lot better during the summer." Ricky told her, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles.

"I definitely want to come back during the summer sometime, but I'm not gonna lie. I miss home. I miss our bed." She told him, unaware of what she said, and he froze suddenly.

"What?" Nini questioned as she felt him stiffen up.

Ricky cleared his throat before answering. "You said our bed..." and Nini's eyes widened in realization.

"I-I mean my bed. You just stay there so much that it just slipped out. Sorry, I, um... my bed... I mean I miss my bed." She rambled on, nervously before chugging the little wine she had left in her glass. Ricky gave her a small smile and nodded silently as she excused herself to the restroom to rid herself of her embarrassment, leaving Ricky to be lost in his thoughts.

Our bed. Is it too early to like the sound of that? He wondered.

She came back a few minutes later and sat down, albeit a bit nervously. The food was there when she sat down.

"It just got here" Ricky said gently. She nodded before taking a bite, moaning. "Oh my god! You were right. I think this is the best gyro I've ever had. Wow." Ricky laughed. "You're with a Chicago native, Neens. I know what I'm talking about."

Dinner went amazingly, and after they finished, they decided to go ice skating at Millennium Park before heading back to their hotel.

"Hey Neens, can I ask you something?" Ricky said as they were walking.

"Yeah, of course." Nini said.

"Is it- is it crazy that I didn't mind you saying our bed? Like, I have all but moved myself in at this point" he began as they stopped in the middle of the sidewalk.

Nini thought about it for a minute, nodding her head.

"I guess that's true..." she said. Ricky swallowed thickly before throwing the question out there.

"Would it be so crazy if we made that... official?"

*****

Nini felt like time had stopped.

He wanted to move in together? Was it too soon? It had really only been a couple of months? Were they ready?

All these thoughts ran through her head, but she knew he was right. He practically already lives there. Ricky was nervous waiting for her response, and he wasn't taking her silence as a good sign.

"Uh, okay then. Never mind. Just forget I said anything and we'll wait until you're-" he started.

"Okay." Nini interrupted him, catching Ricky off guard.