I set the blanket on the couch and then take a step toward the stairs. “And then you can date and cuddle all over town.”
I meant it to be playful and fun but his brow furrows.
He gets to his feet slowly. The remote is tossed to the side and he stalks toward me. “Is that really what you think? That I’m biding my time until I can fuck around with other people?”
“No. I know that you’re in this and loyal and that you like me?—”
He stops in front of me. “Like you? You think Ilikeyou?”
“Yeah.” My voice wavers.
“This isn’t a crush, Hannah. I’m not going to move on to someone else just because some piece of paper says we aren’t married anymore.” He brings both hands up to his head and pulls at his hair. “God. I wish it were that easy. Or fuck, no, I don’t. I like being obsessed with you. I feel like a better guy just being around you. I think about you nonstop.” His hands drop and he steps closer. “When you’re around, I feel like I’ve swallowed an entire flock of butterflies.” A rough laugh tumbles from his lips. “God, how cheesy is that? But it’s fucking true.”
My tongue darts out to wet my lips. “A kaleidoscope.”
“What?”
“A group of butterflies is called a kaleidoscope.”
His grin pulls higher on one side. “A kaleidoscope of butterflies. I like it. Beautiful. Complex. Just like you.”
“Travis, I…” My words break off.
“I see you. I know you feel the same way about me.”
“Like I swallowed butterflies?” I tease just a little and it feels good. The intensity of serious Travis is too much. His playfulness is one of my favorite things about him.
He nods, brown eyes still locked on me. “Yep. And I know that you aren’t going to let yourself act on it either. That’s okay. I get why this is all kinds of complicated and what is at stake for you. I’m going to prove to you how good I can be for you. And someday, you’re going to believe it enough to let yourself have it.”
21
HANNAH
“I have a problem with my husband,” I tell Kinsley a week later after training.
“Your problem is most girl’s dream,” she says with an eye roll. “Dressing up, trying to win your affection, gifting you extravagant jewelry, should I go on?” Her lips curve into a grin. “What did he do this time? Did he dress up like a cowboy or a fighter pilot?”
I laugh. “No, the costumes have stopped.”
“Pity.”
“This is worse.”
“Worse than your hot husband playing dress-up for you?” She gasps with a hand on her chest. “Pray tell. What has the monster done now?”
I toss a wad of athletic tape at her. “This is serious!”
She laughs and tosses the tape back at me before leaning back on the gym mats. We’re the last two here tonight. We should have gotten dressed and gone for dinner, but we’re both too tired to move. I thought I knew how hard I’d need to train under Coach Rodier, but it’s been a lot. Pushing for a day or acouple weeks at a time is one thing, but the intensity here doesn’t let up and my body is still adjusting. Maybe it always will be.
I take a breath and let it out slowly. “He’s started packing my lunch every day.”
Her smile grows until she’s beaming at me. She glances over to the top of my duffel bag where a cute purple and teal butterfly lunchbox sits on top.
“I’m going to need more information.”
I can feel my face heating. “I think it started as a joke. We had leftovers and he asked if I wanted to take them to eat between training and then it just sort of escalated. From leftovers in paper bags to a new lunch box with an elaborate assortment of my favorite foods, always carefully packed and waiting for me in the morning on the counter next to my coffee and muffin.”
She is downright brimming with amusement. “What does he pack in these glorious lunches?”
