My hand covers hers. “Did you seriously just ask if it’s okay to spend the night?” I want to laugh.
She instantly pinches me and grins. “I don’t know. I mean, we’re not living together.”
“I didn’t mind that we spent the night together the other night.”
“Before we got married.”
Now I chuckle to myself. “On paper… and possibly when I want to fuck you into another galaxy.”
Hailey sighs. “Very true on both counts.” She turns onto her side to stare at me. “You know, since I’ve known you, sometimes you’re quiet. But in the bedroom…” She clucks her tongue. “You’re a dark horse that is even better than the dirty dreams I’ve always had about you.”
I nod slowly to myself, getting an ego boost if I’m honest. “Lucky you then.”
“Indeed. But I’m also lucky or crazy that I’ve agreed to your out-of-this-world plan that now has me with a ring.” Her lips roll in and her cheeks tighten because she wants to smile, and it might be so damn big that my not-so-shy wife may blush.
“Trust me, this is a surprise turn of events, but I meant what I said. Once I cross a line, then things just…”
“What?” She’s melodramatic. “You have ex-wives because you’ve crossed lines before and things just…?”
I roll my eyes and shift to my side, taking hold of her leg to swing over my hip. “Ha-ha. Crossingthisline is new, so we’re going to have to just roll with this situation.”
Her eyes strike to mine but there is something peculiar in the gleam. What is it?
“Oliver, really.” Her voice is serious. “It’s because of your insanity that I have a real chance in opening the preschool. But what happens if the time comes and poof.” She gestures with her hands. “What if I play the part of the best wife possible, the kind that you never want to let go of, even if I decide that’s what I want in the end?”
Oh.
Yeah, right.
This marriage thing is for convenience.
This isn’t the clear-cut version of marriage. Not quite fake nor real. I wonder what she would give if I had gotten on one knee and promised a long future with kids, two dogs, and the best safe bagel cutter there is?
Instead, I skipped a few steps.
Maybe it’s possible that we can grow into a marriage that could be…
No. I need to focus on the present.
“What is the wife version of Hailey like?”
“This is a preview of… hmm, a wife in training? Nah, huh, I’m not sure.” She smiles widely. “But wife-me is someone who cares a lot and hopes you kiss me right now. We don’t have any champagne, so strong kisses will have to do.”
It’s her who initiates the kiss. A cementing kiss that won’t let me go. The kind of kiss that roots me down.
Because we’re just going with the moment, and right now, it’s just Hailey and me in our own little world.
16
HAILEY
Perusing around the small groups of students huddled around the classroom, I cross my arms as I slowly tread around the room. Every time a middle-schooler lifts their gaze to me, I smile. For the most part, the kids in summer school are sweet. Some need extra help, and summer ensures they can catch up with their classmates for the year.
Others, well… are a pain in my ass.
My eyes dart to one group in the corner near a globe with three students engrossed in the workgroup and one boy insisting that he just watch.
Sighing, I’ll give him a few minutes more to change his attitude before I have a word. I hate being stern Hailey, it royally sucks. I’m supposed to be the teacher that kids like and would rather see than Mr. Smythe in Algebra. Social Studies rocks, it’s everything rolled into one. Geography, world history, the creation of country, and a few boring sections on law. What more can you want?
