And I can’t wait to get home.
The house is silent when we return. Hannah greets us in the hallway like she’s just survived a war zone.
“All good,” she says, grabbing her coat. “No one died.”
I laugh, and then she glances between Dan and me and gives me a knowing little wink.
The tension between Dan and I is palpable. Hannah absolutely knows where this is heading.
We thank her, and as the door clicks shut behind her, the silence feels different.
We tiptoe upstairs like teenagers trying not to wake up our parents.
There’s a weird nervousness between us, like we’re both afraid to make the first move. Dan clears his throat. I crack my knuckles.
“So,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck. “Uh… you wanna…?”
“Yep.”
Little does he know, I’m virtually gagging for it. Dripping for him, even.
We stare at each other. Then at the bed. Then back at each other.
This is stupid. We’re married. We’ve done this a million times.
Why does it feel like we’re two strangers about to embark on an awkward arranged-marriage consummation?
I decide to go for it.
I pull my dress over my head in what I imagine is a sexy, effortless way.
It is not.
The fabric gets caught. My arms tangle in the sleeves. I shimmy like a woman being attacked by her own wardrobe, lose my balance, and stumble backward into the dresser.
Dan rushes to help, grabs the dress, and I hear a rip.
Silence.
“Oh no,” he murmurs, holding up a chunk of fabric.
“I liked that dress,” I whimper.
He presses his lips together, trying and failing not to laugh.
“If you laugh,” I warn, narrowing my eyes, “I swear to God…”
His shoulders shake. “I’m sorry, but…”
I smack him with a pillow.
He retaliates by tackling me onto the bed, and suddenly we’re laughing, tangled in sheets, our awkwardness dissolving into something lighter, something real.
Dan’s weight presses against me, firm, solid, and it sends a thrill through me.
My dress is still tangled somewhere between my shoulders and arms, revealing glimpses of the black lace underwear I put on because I know it’s his favourite.
I let out a breathless laugh as I struggle to free myself.
