“Kissing in the club, and there are some hazy images outside in front of a fountain, maybe.”
He nods, a small almost apologetic smile curving his lips. “That’s where we decided to get married.”
“In front of the fountain?”
“Yeah. We did briefly consider tattoos, but you said you didn’t want to worry about it healing when you were just starting to train with a new coach.”
“How practical of me. Marriage was obviously the much easier option.” At this point all I can do is laugh. “We’re never allowed to get drunk together again.”
“It didn’t turn out so bad.”
“I don’t know how you do that.”
“What?”
“Take everything in stride.”
He reaches out and tucks my hair behind my ear, studying my face like he’s memorizing every detail. “Hannah, you’ve been all I’ve thought about since we met. Getting married in Vegas wasn’t that out of pocket for me.”
“Yeah, but marriage?”
He lifts one shoulder and lets it fall. “I’m just saying, it’ll go down as one of the better decisions I’ve made.”
“You could have just asked me out.”
“I did. Several times.”
“Still…”
“I stand by my decision.”
It’s hard to fathom that this man was so certain we’d be good together he was willing to risk marrying me.
“Wait. You were going to get a tattoo?” Given his past I’m surprised. “Of what?”
“Technically Ididget a tattoo, I just didn’t do it that night.”
I understand immediately but wish I didn’t. This man not only married me knowing exactly what he was doing (though definitely drunk), he inked the occasion on his skin.
“It’s the fourth tally. I got it the week after we got back.”
“Before we decided not to go through with the annulment?”
“I figured it was a life-altering moment no matter how it turned out.”
“God.” I press my palms on either side of his face. His cheeks are rough with dark stubble. “And here I was freaking out wondering if you liked me and cooking your favorite muffins in some weak-ass attempt to get you to kiss me again.”
“What?” He sits up, leaning on one elbow, dark brows pulling together.
Heat dots my cheeks. “Last night I thought…” I trail off with a groan. “It’s so embarrassing.”
I try to cover my face with my hands, but he peels them away and holds them at his chest.
“Tell me.”
My stomach is a bundle of nerves, but the way he looks at me, so earnest and hopeful, gives me just enough courage. “I wanted to find a way to tell you that I’m falling for you and to show you how much I appreciate everything you’ve done.”
His smile grows wider.
