Free Be Good by Dakota Madison

everything okay?” Brett had a look of concern in his eyes.
    I nodded. “Thank you for bringing me here. It’s already one of my favorite places.”
    “Just wait until we really start looking around.”
    I reached into my pocket and removed my smartphone. “Time to take some photos.”
    I handed the smartphone to Brett. “Will you take a shot of me?”
    I posed and Brett took a photo of me in the entryway. We both looked at it.
    “You’re beautiful and very photogenic.”
    “Thanks.”
    “Will you email me some of your photos?”
    “Why do you think I’m taking them? They’re for your laptop . I’ll know you’re serious about me, if the next time I see you, all the photos of Sweater Vest are gone and replaced with photos of me.”
    I knew I was taking a big risk but when was I not known for taking risks? Being a risk taker was one of my top flaws ( Flaw 3 ).
    Brett nodded as if he was giving it serious consideration. “You’re right. I need to replace those photos.”
    “Thanks.”
    After a moment, he said, “Do you have to keep calling her Sweater Vest?”
    “Yup.”
    Brett nodded. He was quiet for a moment then he said, “I never took Becca to a garden. I just wanted you to know.”
    That stunned me. “Never?”
    He shook his head. “ She doesn’t like gardens. Or plants. She never even visited me in California.”
    That stuck me hard. They’d only been broken up a few months but she never visited him. No wonder the long distance thing didn’t work out. That made me wonder how long she strung him along before she dumped him. Probably just long enough to find someone else. Bitch. I hated her even more.
    “She has a lot of allergies and doesn’t like flower or plants.”
    “But you live for gardens,” I said.
    Brett gripped my hand and held it a bit tighter. “That’s why I’m glad you love them as much as I do.”
    “Especially yours,” I assured him.
    That’s when Brett’s smile returned to his face and my heart felt like it was dancing. Brett’s entire face lit us like a kid on Christmas morning whenever he truly smiled. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed seeing it when we were arguing.
    “What,” Brett asked. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
    “I just love your smile.” I raised my phone camera and snapped a shot of him. “That’s for my laptop .” 
    Brett’s smile grew even wider. “You’re really going to put my photo on your laptop?”
    “I said I would.”
    Brett nodded.
    “Only I don’t have anyone to replace. There’s just you.”
    Brett thought about this for a long moment. “You never put anyone else’s photo on your laptop?”
    Not that there was ever anyone to put on my laptop. I shook my head. “I don’t have photos of anyone anywhere,” I admitted. “I never have.”
    “So, I’ll be your first.”
    “No, you’ll be my one and only.”
    Brett kissed me cheek. The n he whispered, “You have no idea how much I love the idea of being your one and only.” And I knew he wasn’t just talking about photos. Neither was I.
     
    ***
     
    As we walked through the sixteen acres of formal gardens, I took in every bit of the lush environment. Living in the desert my entire life, I didn’t realize how much I craved green spaces. The place truly was spectacular.
    “I’m sure you’ve been wondering why the place is called Filoli?” Brett queried as we walked through rose garden, which was still in bloom.
    “It may have crossed my mind . But I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”
    I enjoyed seeing tourist sites with Brett. He was such a brilliant person and knew so much about seemingly everything, he was better than having a tour guide.
    “ William Bourn, the original owner of the estate, called it Filoli because it’s the first two letters in the words fight, love and live. It comes from his motto: Fight for a just cause; Love your fellow man; Live a good life .
    “That’s so cool. I like that. That should be our motto.”
    Brett seemed