Winnie claps her hands. “See? Romance.”
I step forward, reach up, and take Ben’s hands. “You don’t need lessons,” I murmur. “You’re already my favorite performer.”
His ears turn pink.
Winnie sighs dramatically. “Fine. But when he wins a dance contest someday, remember who trained him.”
As I help Ben down from the table, still smiling at him like he’s my favorite miracle, one thing becomes perfectly clear, our honeymoon weekend hasn’t even started yet, and it’s already unforgettable.
“Did you get the ones I told you about?” Winnie waggles her brows at me.
“No,” I respond deadpan. Ben’s head whips back and forth between us. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yes, Mrs. Banks.” He extends his arm toward the door. “Your chariot awaits.”
“Aww. My baby got a good one.” My mother sniffles.
Running over to her side, I give her a big hug. “Yes. I did. Please stay well while I’m gone.”
“Seeing you this happy is all the medicine I need.” The conversation with Ben at the airport where he reminded me my mother hadme comes to the forefront of my mind. I have to fight not bawling on the spot. “I love you. I’ll take lots of pictures.”
“Oh, good,” Winnie blurts.
“Not of that.”
“Oh, shucks. I bet he looks hot with his clothes off.”
“Winnie!” my mother and I screech.
Thankfully, we use this opportunity to head out.
The road stretches outin front of us, sunlight flickering through the trees, and there’s not a cloud in the sky. We’re headed to our honeymoon.
Our honeymoon!I internally squeal. I still can’t quite wrap my head around it.
His truck rattles a little as we hit a rough patch of pavement, and Ben winces, glancing at the dashboard like it personally offended him.
“This thing is officially on borrowed time,” he mutters.
I laugh. “It’s not that bad. Trust me, I’ve driven far worse.”
He gives me a look. “I purchased a beat-up old truck because it was mainly going to be used on a dusty construction site. I knew I’d eventually need a new one. But yours…” He points at me accusingly. “That is the first thing we’re replacing.”
“Already making executive decisions, Mr. Banks?”
He smirks. “Second thing is picking out a real ring.”
I glance down at my finger, at the brightly colored Ring Pop I keep replacing each time I finish one off. This one is blue raspberry.
“If I don’t get you a real one soon, we’ll probably have to get you to a dentist.” He chuckles. “I’d say we could pick one out this weekend, but I’m not sure they’ll have a nice enough jewelry store where we’re going.” The laughter fades, replaced by a thought that’s been weighing heavy on my mind.
“It was you,” I say carefully. “You’re the one who took care of all of my mom’s debt, weren’t you?”
He shrugs like he paid a parking ticket, not erased years of fear. “Yeah. It had to be done, Gracie.”
I swallow down the lump in my throat. “I hate that you’re spending your money on me. I’ve been in your shoes, being the only one in the relationship bringing financial stability.”
He glances at me, brows pulling together in confusion.
