Keeping London

London

“Somehow, our imperfections work seamlessly together to make our flaws into something more.”

—London Wright

I hold my phone up to my mouth. “What is the average temperature in Palo Alto in November?” 

A handsome male Australian voice answers, “I’m sorry. I’m not quite sure I understand.”

“What’s the weather like in Palo Alto in November?” I say again more clearly.

“I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?” my male Siri answers.

“Give me the weather in California, asshole.”

“I’m only trying to help,” he answers.

“Fuck you,” I huff out.

“Do you speak to your mother with that mouth?” he asks politely. 

“Do you fuck your mother with your idiot brain?” I snap into my phone.

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that,” he answers.

“I hate you.” 

“Well, I’m still here for you,” he responds.

“I’m done talking to you,” I growl.

“I don’t understand, ‘I’m done talking to you.’ But I could search the web for it.”

“Ugh,” I groan as I throw my phone in my purse. “Don’t bother!”

I find myself glaring at the red light before me for no other reason than I’m pissed at Oliver, which is what I named my Siri because Siri isn’t a suitable name for a hot man from down under—even if he is an idiot. 

“It looks like high sixties,” Loïc says with a deep chuckle. 

I turn to find his amused face. If he wasn’t so gorgeous, I’d probably be annoyed with the current smirk, but it makes him even more adorable, so I’ll take it. 

He’s holding up his phone to show me the little chart with all the sun pictures and temperatures, which all appear to be between sixty-seven and sixty-nine degrees. Yes! Beats the high thirties we’ve been having in Michigan. It’s unseasonably cold for November this year.

“Well, isn’t your Droid so smart?” I say in a snooty voice for dramatic flair. 

Loïc and I go back and forth over which is better—a Droid or iPhone. I’d argue to death that an iPhone is better, but let’s face it; Oliver isn’t too bright. 

“I’ve told you this a million times. There’s no comparison.” He shrugs, a smug expression now residing on his face. “Tell me again why your Siri is an Australian man?”

“Because the real Siri was a bitch, and I was sick of hearing her. So, I programmed the phone to use Oliver’s voice instead. He might not be much smarter, but he’s definitely more enjoyable to listen to. I love his accent.”

“Ah, that’s right. Where am I going again?”

“Twenty-three to fourteen to two hundred seventy-five to ninety-six,” I rattle off the highway names once more.

“Are you sure you can’t find what you need at the mall that’s, like, five minutes away? Is the hour drive worth it?”

“Um, yes, it is totally worth it. It’s the only decent place to shop around here.” 

Loïc agreed to come shopping with me today. Paige is usually my partner in crime, but she’s working overtime on some promotion she’s doing for her new job. She’s really been working her tail off to impress her new employer. 

Loïc and I are leaving for California on Thursday to go visit my sister at Stanford for a long weekend. New outfits are a must. 

“Your enthusiasm for shopping is kind of a flaw,” Loïc says, humor lining his voice.

“Oh, yeah? Well, I think your lack of enthusiasm for all things shopping is a huge flaw,” I quip in return.

Loïc’s deep laughter fills the cab of his truck, and I can’t stop the huge grin that crosses my face. 

I take in the familiar sights—buildings, exits, signs—as Loïc speeds down the interstate. A new sensation comes over me, one that I don’t know I’ve ever experienced in my entire life—the feeling of being at home. I’ve lived in so many places in my life, and with each one came the understanding that it was only temporary. My mom always told me that home was where the people you loved were, not a name on a map. I’ve never considered a particular place home—until now. Michigan is my home. 

I have a job that I love, writing freelance pieces for a local online news outlet. I love my roommate and best friend, Paige. The house where we’ve lived together since we moved out of the dorms two years ago feels like a home should—familiar, happy, and safe. And then there’s Loïc. I can’t believe it’s only been six months since I first saw his muddy-as-hell truck drive up to the sorority car wash last May. 

In the timeline of life, six months is a blink of an eye, but for Loïc and me, it seems like so much longer. We’ve both gotten over some major hurdles since then. We’ve changed so much. I know I have other ways in which I need to grow as a person, to change into a better version of myself. I’m not perfect, and Loïc’s not either. Yet, somehow, our imperfections work seamlessly together to make our flaws into something more. More compassion. More love. More understanding. Simply more. 

I am closer to becoming the person I want to be now than I was on that hot day back in May, and Loïc is, too. That’s why I know that we’re destined, fated, meant to be—however it’s phrased is irrelevant. The fact of the matter is that Loïc and I will always be. We met for a reason, and I know that we’ll be together always. I can’t adequately explain how I know this, but I do. I’m sure of it. 

We arrive at the mall, and Loïc parks the truck. Exiting the truck, my skin shivers as I pull my jacket tightly around me. The wind today carries a bite. 

Loïc wraps his strong arm around my shoulder, and we walk toward the large building. 

“Maybe, if you get all your shopping finished in a timely manner, we’ll have time to go for a hike before dinner,” Loïc suggests before leaning down and kissing my temple.

I scrunch my lips together and peer up at him. “Um…it’s freezing. Why would I want to go hiking?”

“It’s almost fifty degrees, babe. That’s practically shorts weather in Michigan. We need to get out and enjoy the warm temp.”

“Warm temp?” I shake my head, expelling a breath. 

“Yeah, next month could have negative temperatures, so when compared to, let’s say, minus ten degrees, fifty is pretty warm.”

“Ugh, I hate Michigan.” The cold winters are definitely a downfall to my recently professed home. “Well, it doesn’t matter anyway because shopping and timely don’t go together.”

Loïc bows his head. “That’s what I was afraid of.”

I laugh. “Don’t worry, babe. I’ll model all of my outfits for you, and if you’re really good, maybe you’ll get lucky in a dressing room.”

“People really do that?” 

“I assume so. I mean, I never have. Have you?” I ask.

“No.” Loïc shakes his head.

“Well then, maybe it can be another first?” I suggestively lift my eyebrows. 

Loïc chuckles. “You know that sounds amazing and all…but can’t they see into the dressing rooms? Through vents or two-way mirrors or something? Isn’t that how they catch shoplifters?”

“I don’t know. I think maybe in some stores but not all of them. We’ll scope it out.”

“I’m all about creating firsts with you, London. Not to mention, I want you all the time. But I can’t go getting myself arrested for public lewdness right before I’m deployed. That wouldn’t go over well.”

I let out a sound of disappointment. “Stupid deployment. It’s getting in the way of all my fun,” I joke.

“Don’t worry, babe. We’ll have plenty of fun later. Promise.” Loïc pulls me in for a quick kiss before he slides his fingers through mine as we enter the mall. 

***

I exit the changing room to find Loïc on his phone, seated on the padded bench right outside the dressing room door. He looks up when he hears me. 

“What do you think about this one?” I do a little twirl, causing the short red dress to fan out above my knees.

“I think you look stunning.” His response is sincere as a warm smile illuminates his strong, handsome face.

His smile is my kryptonite, and each time he gifts me with one of his signature grins, I just want to ravage him. I think I might be slightly addicted. But, I suppose, if I must be a junkie, I’m happy it’s Loïc I crave.

I take a few steps toward him. Placing my palms against his freshly shaven face, I bend, connecting my mouth with his. The kiss is short, sweet, and so much less than I’d like to do, but I just had to feel his lips against mine even if just for a second. 

I reluctantly pull my lips away from his. “You said the same thing for the last four outfits I tried on,” I point out.

“Because that statement was also true for each of those outfits.”

“Surely, I can’t look stunning in everything I try on. You have to give me some real feedback. I need to buy the perfect outfits for this weekend.”

“London, baby, you look truly amazing in everything you try on. You could put on every item of clothing this store carries, and I would think the same. You could come out of the room with a burlap bag wrapped around your body, and I would still think that you looked absolutely gorgeous.”

I run my thumb across his jaw, denying my urge to kiss him again. “But aren’t some better than others? Can’t you give me any objective feedback?”

“Babe, if you wanted someone to give you critical opinions about the actual clothes, then you should have brought Paige. I’m sorry, but when I see you, I just see beauty, nothing else. To me, you are perfect in anything or nothing at all.”

“Ugh,” I groan out. “You’re just so sweet.” I turn briskly to head back to try on another outfit.

“And that’s a bad thing?” Loïc chuckles in question.

“It is when I want honest feedback on clothes. Fashion is a big deal, Loïc.” I look over my shoulder to shoot him a mock glare of annoyance.

He just laughs, shaking his head. “Told you that you picked the wrong shopping buddy.”

“Clearly,” I say with a grin before closing the changing room door.

***

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.