My fingertips brushing her spine, caressing her back, my mouth trailing kisses all the way up to her neck, and making her shiver.
I clear my throat as Wendy glides over, and I let my eyes linger. Her hair is curled and pulled up with a couple piecesframing her face, her makeup is done lightly to highlight her beautiful eyes, leaving the freckles I adore visible.
The dress she’s wearing is deceptively sexy—reserved in front. The black fabric clings to her curves with a high neck and long sleeves, a hem that stops mid-calf.
"Hi," she smiles, and the sight of it almost knocks me on my ass.
When she gets within feet, she twirls, giving me a look at her back...
I have to keep reminding myself to breathe.
I've always loved Wendy's form, long and graceful, and even now, after two decades and two kids, she's the only woman I see.
Liam and Noah are laughing at my no doubt slack-jawed expression. Wendy shoots them a small smile before walking so she's standing right in front of me.
I clear my throat, hands shaking and palms sweaty.
"You look beautiful, baby," I murmur.
Her cheeks color as she glances down, hands smoothing the front of her dress. Then my heart stops dead in my chest as I look at her left hand.
She's wearing her rings.
I blink twice to make sure I'm actually seeing it, and she catches me looking.
Smiling, she gestures with her left hand, a little dramatically, and makes sure I see the ring, "Are those for me?"
My answer is delayed because my tongue feels too heavy for my mouth, and my brain is moving at half speed, so it takes me a minute to realize she's pointing at the flowers.
I just can't take my eyes off the diamond ring on her finger.
"Yes," I croak, handing them to her and suddenly feeling sixteen again, picking Wendy up for a date.
"They're beautiful, Atlas—let me go put them in a vase," Wendy beams as she walks into the kitchen.
I watch as she presses her nose to them with a tender smile on my face, and I feel myself perk up even more.
I made her happy.
"Knock-knock!"
The front door swings open and Taylor walks. Noah runs to her with an excited yell, Liam close behind. They hug their Aunt Taylor and she catches my eye over Liam's shoulder.
"Hey, Atlas," Taylor greets with a small smile. I know she's seen and heard my behavior over the last year, and she probably doesn't like me much right now.
"Hey, Taylor," I say, shoving my hands in my pockets and shifting awkwardly.
Taylor turns to the boys, "Go get your things."
"Race you!" Liam says, causing Noah to take off. He grins at his brother, and they wrestle their way up the stairs to their bedrooms.
Her words make me frown, and I turn to Taylor, "Wait, are they sleeping over at your house?"
"Yep," she says, smirking. "Wendy wanted you guys to havealone time."
My heart jumps in my chest.Alone time.I glance back to the kitchen, peeking through the doorway to see Wendy placing the flowers on our kitchen table.
Her fingers, with her ring glittering under the overhead lamp, gently caress the flowers. She has a small, hopeful smile on her face.
