We were a comfortable couple. We’d never had moments where we had to tear each other’s clothes off. We took our time. And when we did make love, we let our actions speak of our passion for each other. As I’d said to her in the vow I’d blurted out—I’d known from the first moment I saw her. Something in that smile she’d bestowed upon me. Not just relief and gratitude—although those had been there for sure. No, she saw me in a way no one except Lachlan ever had before. Even my best friends didn’t know me that well.
I finished undressing, careful to hang everything up. No idea when I’d ever wear this getup again. A Halloween party? I turned the water temperature as high as I could, and only as Iwas scrubbing the makeup off did I remember something about cold cream. Well, Stephanie would’ve warned me, right? I really should’ve read the label.
Twenty minutes later, looking like a boiled lobster and with skin hot to the touch, I stepped out of the shower and looked into the mirror.
Ha! All the shit was gone. My hair was dark with water, and I was an unappealing red color, but I was clean. I chuckled.The things we do for love. Again tomorrow and a thousand times more in our lifetimes if Stephanie asked.
I grabbed my lotion and luxuriated in the soothing cool against my heated skin. By the time I was dry—including my hair—I was cooler. Except the flush across my cheeks when I thought of my wife luxuriating in her bath. If I hadn’t been wearing the makeup, I might’ve asked if I could join her. We’d done that a couple of times.
And had tons of fun.
Along with splashing half the contents of the bath onto the tiled floor.
I smiled.
How effortlessly she’d slotted into my life. How easily we fit. Even disagreements never amounted to much. I wanted her to have everything, and she felt the same about me. Our way of compromising made our relationship seem idyllic. Almost unrealistic. I kept waiting to see a dark side. Some situation that would bring out the worst in her.
Never happened.
That woman who had smiled at me the first time we met was the woman who was—
I stopped in my tracks as I stepped into our bedroom.
Stephanie lay on the bed
Her blonde hair was fanned out on the pillow inthatway.
The way I loved so much.
She was posed with her arms above her head. So her breasts were thrust out and her hips were angled. Her blonde curls caught the light in a way that felt like a beacon. An invitation to come home after a long, hard day.
“You take my breath away.” I pressed a hand to my chest. “Always have and always will.”
“I need to record you saying that so when my boobs sag and I have chicken neck, I can play it for you.”
“You’ll be even more beautiful.”
She cocked her head.
I pressed my hand to my heart. “Because of what’s inside.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Sheesh. Way to ruin a moment.” I laughed. “How was your bath?”
“Five-minute shower. I didn’t even bother to wash my hair. I wanted to be here to welcome you.”
“And to think, I used to be excited when Taffy kept me company.”
“I texted Foster—she’s having a blast with Queenie. He and Arnav are looking forward to the next two weeks with the pooches. Basically, he thanked me.”
“You texted Foster?”
“Of course. I knew you’d want to know how our girl was settling in.”
Our girl.I’d worried about what would happen to Taffy if I died. I didn’t worry anymore. “Make sure you thank Foster from me.”
“Already done. I sent him the picture of the four of us. The one my mom took and sent to the family group chat.”
