I have to admit, looking at her like this, it’s hard to believe we’re not married yet. She’s already my wife in every way that counts. And I’m pretty sure I’m already her husband in her heart. Doesn’t mean nothing will change after the vows, but something about Rose just makes it obvious. If I’m the vault, then she’s the only key that can open it. As far as I’m concerned, we’re already married. Signing the papers just lets the world know, too.
“Guess right and you get to choose the next delivery order.” I grin, fully aware she’ll pick whatever she wants, and I’ll say yes because her happiness tops everything.
“Peanut butter cups,” she signs with a mischievous smile, and a wicked one creeps onto my face.
“Almost.”
“Tell me you didn’t bring the jelly thing.”
“C’mon. I know you hate those.”
“It’s wobbly.”
“What?” I say out loud, not recognizing her sign. I’m still taking classes, and even after a year, I’m learning new words every week. Gotta keep up, because once we have kids, they’ll need to learn to sign too. I want to teach them the way I’m learning with Rose so they grow up knowing it’s normal.
“W-o-b-b-l-y,” she spells slowly, and I chuckle.
“Here. No wobbly stuff, I promise.” I hand her the caramel popcorn she loves. Those damn kernels make her laugh every time they pop in the microwave, and even after a year, that sound is still one of my favorites.
“Thanks,” she mouths. I follow the shape of her lips, already under her spell. I open the bag for her, and she grabs a handful before signing again.
“Won’t you miss having the other members of the club at our wedding?”
“You mean Ares, Ash, and Cart?” She nods. “We’ll celebrate again when we go to Knoxville next month.” I sigh. “So no, I’m alright.” I’m a simple man. As long as she’s wearing my ring, I’m good. Shadow will be there, and since he helped me save her, having him with us feels right. Rose and I aren’t social people. Sure, we deal with others every day, but I’ve never been much of a talker. We have our own language. That’s why flying to Knoxville once a month is more than enough. As long as we’re together, we’re good. Besides, there’s nothing I love more than sharing silence with her.
“I’ll miss not having Jezebel and Greta. And…maybe my mom too. I wish…” She stops. “Under different circumstances, I wish they’d been there.”
“I know.” I brush a golden curl behind her ear. “I can pull some strings and see if it’s possible if you really want that. You know that, right?” She shakes her head, resignation weighing down her shoulders.
“They wouldn’t understand. To them, I’m not a real person anymore. I’ve succumbed to the worst sin of all.”
“Which is?”
“Um…you.”
“Then I’m glad you did, angel.” She smiles, kisses me slowly, and I curl my fist to keep control. Sat on my lap, we eat popcorn for a while. She admires the view and…I admire her. Her soft, pale skin, her long lashes, those delicate hands roughened every week by thorns and stems at the florist. She works part-time there. The place used to launder money before the owner got caught, and now a woman named Olga runs a legit shop inside the same walls. She handles customers while Rose makes bouquets behind her. Perfect setup. No forced interaction. Just flowers and a work she enjoys. Two days a week is plenty. The rest of her time goes to her online art classes at the university, whenever her schedule allows.
“Jamie would’ve liked this,” I say. She raises her brows. “Eating popcorn in the forest on a Saturday morning. He’d be a grown man now, but…in my head he’s still a kid with dirt under his nails driving my mom insane.” Walls that once protected me fall open for her. “We didn’t have much,” I add, “but she kept everything spotless. Every corner of that apartment.”
“It reminds me of someone,” she teases.
“Yeah, alright,” I huff. “Maybe I got the same bug.”
“You reorganize my bedside table every day and still think I haven’t noticed.”
“Can’t help it, angel.”
“I know and…it’s okay, I don’t really mind,” she pauses before signing again, “as long as you don’t reorganize my gardening tools.”
“What? Aren’t they-”
“No, no. Nothing. Forget I said anything. They’re…perfectlyorganized.” She laughs silently, waving her hand.I’m definitely reorganizing that space later.
I breathe against her throat, a low growl slipping out. “Damn, I missed this.”
“We’ve been together nonstop today.” She chuckles.
“I still needed my fix.”
