Late Night Talking | An Original

6

"Me too," she says. "Except for freshman year of college. I went a little crazy last year, until that weekend in Ann Arbor. Then I kind of just focused on school and my friends."

"Exactly," I say. "That's kind of what I did. Hockey, school, and fixing this house. Now I have my own place, where you can spend the night whenever you want."

"So convenient," she says.

"I kind of had a feeling when we met that we'd end up dating each other. I liked you immediately."

Sabrina smiles, again. "Me too. I felt so drawn to you, right when we were introduced to each other."

"Now look at us."

"Exclusive as fuck," she says.

"We should get matching t-shirts that say that."

"Like Reese and Dominic's tattoos."

"They have matching tattoos?" Sabrina asks.

"Kind of. Reese picked a tattoo for Dominic, and he picked one for her. They both represent their relationship."

"Awww. When did they get them?"

"Before they were even an official couple. But you know how spontaneous Reese can be. That's why she got me into a little bit of trouble in high school."

"Reese is fun," Sabrina says. "She's a really good friend."

"I get worried about her sometimes because she's got such a sensitive heart, but she's doing good right now. I think having Dominic around has helped her regulate her emotions somehow. I know she has a hard time staying in her apartment by herself, so she stays here sometimes. Or she'll stay at Taytum's apartment."

"She invited Laynie and I over a lot last year, especially if Dominic was traveling."

"Sounds like Reese. That's kind of the reason I got a house that has a few bedrooms. My sisters can stay whenever. Or my cousins. Friends. You. But you bunk with me in my room, so the extra rooms don't count. I wanted people to be able to stay here if need be."

"I really admire how thoughtful you always are," Sabrina says. "You really take care of the people around you."

"I'm a nurturer by nature. I've always been this way."

"It's sweet," she says. "You're sweet."

I smile before leaning over to kiss her cheek. "Thank you, Sabrina. You're a gem."

-

Sabrina and I get to my parents house a little before noon, so I can switch cars with my sister. Maeve's car has been acting up, so she's gonna drive my car while I fix hers. I also have to run to the bank to deposit my paycheck, and I gotta go to the grocery store.

I'm glad Sabrina's tagging along with me today. It's always fun to have company while running errands. Before Sabrina and I started seeing each other, I'd usually make Maeve or Reese run errands with me.

I park my truck in the driveway of my parents' house, and then Sabrina and I head into the garage and through the door of the laundry room. Through the hallway, and into the kitchen.

Where my mom is making a snack, of course. She's always making some sort of chip, fruit, veggie, or dessert dip. Sometimes I think she makes them all the time because she knows I'll come over for them. I love spending time at my parent's house, but it's always ten times better when one of mom's dips are involved.

"Hey, Miles," she says, before looking up and smiling at Sabrina. "I didn't know you were bringing Sabrina over. How are you, miss girl?"

"I'm good," Sabrina says, as my mother gives her a greeting hug. "How are you?"

"I'm good, honey. It's nice to see you."

"You too," Sabrina says.

"Sabrina's running errands with me today," I say. "We went to the Cubs game last night."

"Ah," Mom says. "How was it?"

"It was so fun," Sabrina says.

"I'm glad you guys had a good time," Mom says. "Sabrina, you're always welcome to come over here for dinner."

I smile. "We'll come over soon."

"Good," Mom says. "Pizza night next Friday."

About once or twice a month, my parents host everyone in our family and some friends over for a homemade pizza night. They have an outdoor brick oven, which makes the best pizza.

"Got it," I say. "Sabrina, are you busy next Friday?"

"Not yet," she says.

"Wanna come to Pizza Night?"

"I'd love to," she says.

"Ugh, you two are so cute together," Mom says. "Miles, you're growing up so fast."

"Thanks, Mom," I say. "Anyway, is Maeve home?"

"She's at Landon's. But her car is here, so she just told me to give you the keys, and I can give her your car keys."

"Okay," I say. "Do you need anything from the grocery store? That's where we're headed next."

"A few things," Mom says, grabbing a small list from the fridge, along with money to cover it."

"Okay," I say. "Well be back a little later."

"Sweet," Mom says. "Thank you, Milo. Good to see you again, Sabrina."

"You too," Sabrina says. "See ya soon."

I left my truck unlocked, so I grab my paycheck and my house keys from it before Sabrina and I take Maeve's car to the grocery store.

I only have a few things to get, plus the small list my mom gave me, so the grocery trip is pretty quick. It's still more painless to be at the grocery store with Sabrina, than it is to be here by myself. Nothing is boring when Sabrina's with me.

We take Maeve's car to my house, and I'm able to fix it pretty easily. The issue was just that the car's computer needed to be reset. The check engine light went off immediately after I reset the computer, and there were no other issues with it.

After we stop at the bank, and then get lunch, Sabrina and I go back to my parents' house to drop their groceries off and to switch cars with Maeve again.

Maeve's home when we get there, so she's happy to see that Sabrina's hanging with me today. We end up hanging out at my parents' house for a while, and Sabrina agrees to go with us to one of Maren's big gymnastics competitions next week.

It's honestly really exciting to me that Sabrina and I are starting to kind of get a little bit more serious now. I've really admired her for a while, and it's sweet to see that we could possibly have a future together.

We end up going back to Sabrina's apartment, to hang out and order dinner. Laynie got home a few minutes after we walked through the door, so all three of us eat dinner together.

Now that Sabrina and I are starting to get a little more serious, I think our relationship could really blossom in the near future. I can't wait to meet her family, and I'm so glad that she wants me to.

Sabrina's starting to mean a lot to me, especially now that we're spending a lot of time together.