“Shelby, are you gonna live here from now on?”
My head jerks at Ryder’s question. “Umm…” Why in the hell wasn’t I ready for this?
Thankfully, Dallas comes to the rescue. “Come pick which movie we’re gonna watch tonight, kiddo.”
I take advantage and push the distraction. “You looking forward to school starting next month, Little G?”
“Nah. I wish it would be summer break forever.” He watches as Dallas scrolls through the movie options on the TV.
“But you get to see all your friends.”
Ryder only shrugs. The kid kills me. He’s so smart and funny and loving, but being on the autism spectrum presents a lot of challenges that most of his peers don’t even have to consider.
“We should plan a fun adventure before summer’s over,” I declare.
He spins from the TV, eyes bright now. “Like what?”
“I don’t know. Maybe a camping trip? Or we could go to the big city and visit the aquarium.” Considering he swims like a fish, it might be compulsory at this point.
“Can we, Dad?”
Dallas nudges his son’s shoulder. “Maybe. We’ll see what the calendar looks like.”
I head to the bedroom to change and then busy myself preparing movie snacks, gathering everything on a tray I unearth from a high cabinet. As soon as Ryder sees the giant bowl of popcorn, he props himself on his favorite bean bag chairand digs in. I, on the other hand, plan to focus on the chips and salsa. “So, what are we watching?”
“Jumanji,” Ryder informs me. “I like the part where Bethany has to learn how to pee like a boy.”
“Well okay then.” I settle my butt onto the couch next to Dallas and prepare to be dazzled.
“What’s wrong with your foot?” Dallas asks thirty minutes later as the Rock sends a smoldering gaze to the camera.
I glance over at him and then down at my hands, where they’re rubbing my right foot. “Nothing,” I whisper. “I just pulled a muscle or something. One of Gavin Heeley’s fillies has a head wound, and the little drama queen didn’t feel like cooperating.”
Without a word, Dallas palms my calf and pulls my foot onto his lap where he proceeds to knead it with his strong fingers and thumbs. I’m pretty sure I orgasm.
Honestly, if this is what it’s like being married to Dallas, I could get used to it.
By the time the credits roll, Ryder is fast asleep in his giant bean bag chair, and I have half a mind to join him. Dallas rises from the couch, stretching his arms above his head and revealing a slice of tanned and toned abdomen which I studiously ignore.
“Oh, hey, I almost forgot.” His voice is scratchy as he shuffles to the entryway, and I wait for him to return and explain himself. When he reappears, a small black projectile nearly hits me in the face. Good thing my reflexes are honed from years of working with huge animals who could kill me with one misstep.
“What is this?” I pick up the small box from the couch cushion where it landed, and it looks like a jewelry box.
“Open it up and see.”
My hands begin to tremble for some stupid reason. The lid opens with a click, and I have no idea why, but I bark out a laugh before slapping a hand over my mouth and checking that I didn’t wake Ryder.
“And people ask me why I’ve never gotten married,” Dallas drawls, complete with an eye roll at my antics.
“No! I’m sorry, it’s just…” I have no idea how to finish that sentence because inside the box lies the most quintessentiallyShelbyring I’ve ever laid eyes on. There’s a row of three stones—one large one in the center banked by two smaller ones—in an intricate filigree setting that looks like flowered vines curling around the centerpiece. It’s exquisite and absolutelythering I would choose for myself.
“You didn’t have to do this,” I finish lamely. I mean, I guess it’s good to have a ring because people keep staring at my bare finger. But I just figured we’d go with something out of a Cracker Jack box, if at all. “It’s not…real, is it?” There is no way he’s spending true engagement ring kind of money on something so temporary. “’Cause I’m not sure if jewelers accept returns.” Please let it be fake.
I can’t make out his expression, partly because he’s in shadow. “No.”
“Oh, thank god.” I laugh with relief, quieter this time. I have to say it’s a beautiful ring, even if it is costume jewelry. I wonder where he found it.
I close the box and bring it with me as I clear the snacks and take them to the kitchen. “So, what are people saying toyouabout all this?”
