Curvy Girls Can’t Date Soldiers by Kelsie Stelting

Sixty

Apollo

I lovedthe white patches on Nadira’s skin that showed color when she blushed. It was one of my favorite things about her. That and the way she smiled at me like I personally hung the moon.

Eating supper with her felt just as natural as breathing, and I could hardly believe there had been a time when we didn’t know each other. When we didn’t talk or laugh or joke or simply sit together to pass the time.

The flame of the candle was low to the melted wax when we finished eating, and I asked, “Are you ready for destination number two?”

“There’s more?” She perked up. “What could be better than cupcakes and iced coffee though?”

I smiled, thinking about what I had planned next. “I have a few ideas.”

“Let’s see them” she said.

I got up, leaving money on the table for the food and then led her out of the bakery. The sun had already set, leaving the sky full of shades of indigo. Glancing up, I could see a few pinpricks of stars, even with the light pollution in town.

I let Nadira into the passenger side and then got in, reaching for her hand. She laced her fingers through mine like that was exactly where they belonged. If all we ever did was hold hands, I swear, I’d die a happy man.

She settled into her seat, shimmying her shoulders into the seat back, and it was the most adorable thing I’d ever seen. Each second I spent with her, I discovered more things to love.

We reached the small parking lot I’d discovered on what was one of the absolute worst days of my life. Today, I was changing that memory for good.

I got out of the car, opening her door for her. Then I went to the trunk and pulled out a couple of massive blankets and a body pillow.

Taking all the items in, she said, “We’re stargazing?”

“I want to see it through your eyes.”

Her smile was brighter than the moonlight bouncing off the ocean, and I instantly knew this had been a good idea. I hoped she would like the surprise that came next...

We walked toward the shore, tracing the same steps I had taken that day when everything went wrong. But coming here with her was like therapy—erasing the old memories and replacing them with something better. Something purer.

In the sand, she kicked off her tennis shoes and peeled her socks away from her feet. I did the same, then we walked hand in hand until we found a space where we were close to the water but far enough away we wouldn’t get caught in an extra strong wave.

I breathed deeply, inhaling the salty air and a hint of her perfume. She smelled like heaven—with a hint of coconut and springtime flowers.

“It’s peaceful here,” she said, following my gaze over the shore.

I flicked my eyes back to her. She was a million times better to look at, with her shining eyes and the hopeful smile on her lips. I spread out the first blanket and carefully placed the pillow where our heads would be. She squatted down, lying atop the spread, and I hurried to be next to her, eager to feel the heat coming off her body against the cool night air.

I covered us with the other blanket, creating our own cocoon against the cold, against the world.

Nadira reached up, pointing. “The Little Dipper.”

I followed her finger with my eyes. “That was fast.”

“I’ve had practice,” she said, swinging her hand farther to the right. “That’s Cassiopeia.”

“All I see is Orion’s Belt,” I admitted.

“Newb.” She chuckled. “I’ll teach you.”

I rolled to my side, facing her. “I’m looking forward to it.”

With a smile on her face, she turned to me too. “Thank you...for the best date ever.”

My heart lurched. “I’m only giving you what you deserve, baby. Surely you know that.”

She blinked, shielding her emotions, but I reached out and brushed her cheek with my fingertips. “Why are you hiding?”

Her eyes were vulnerable as she turned them on me. “I just never would have thought that anything like this was possible. Between you and me.”

I drew my fingers from her cheek to her shoulder and down to her hand where I laced our fingers together. “Me neither,” I admitted. “Not because of the picture you sent me, but because from the first email, I felt like we clicked. I’ve never had this kind of connection with anyone else. Can you feel it?”

Her words came out a whisper. “I do.”

I leaned in and kissed her lips, softly, for just a moment. “I know we did what we could to mess it up, but I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be, out here with you.”

Her eyes searched mine, seeking the truth I felt with every breath.

I rolled to my back and pointed to the spot in the sky I’d memorized. At the twinkling light I’d purchased and specially named. “Do you see that star?”

She scooted close to me and looked up my arm to the point of my finger. “The one that’s a little blue?”

“That’s the one,” I said. I reached into my pocket and got out my phone, went to the certificate of ownership, and passed it to her.