Nyree laughed, a wry, derisive sound that echoed within the room.“I did, and my jealousy grew in proportion.It was difficult to read your emails about everything you were doing and the people you were meeting.”
“For the last time, Nyree.It is you whom I love.You make me laugh and smile and wish to get up each morning.And it is you who makes my heart beat faster, and my passion grows each time I see you.You are the woman I wish to stand at my side, and if you do not want the same, tell me now.”
Nyree rolled on top of Tawera and cupped his face in her hands.
“You’ve been honest with me and told me what was in your heart.I could do nothing less.In my roundabout way, I was trying to explain I was jealous because my feelings for you ran deep.I love you, Tawera, and that is my last word on the matter.”
Tawera chuckled, his laugh full of joy and a touch of humor.“Then sleep, my love, because I will keep you busy in my bed later.”
Nyree shifted onto her side, and Tawera cuddled her from behind.She drifted off to sleep in Tawera’s arms with a smile curving her lips.
Her man.Her love.Their future.
20
Wedding Joy
One year later
EmmasatbesideNyreein the lunchroom at George Taniwha & Sons.
“When are you and Tawera getting married?”
Nyree paused, her forkful of salad hovering at mouth level.“He hasn’t asked me.”
“But it’s obvious you adore each other.You’ve been living together for almost a year now.”
Nyree shrugged.“It doesn’t matter to me.Marriage, I mean.I have complete faith in Tawera.He is the most honest and decent man I know apart from your husband and our other male friends, of course.”
“Hmm.”Emma picked up her coffee and took a sip.
“What?”Nyree asked.
“There is no reason you can’t ask Tawera to marry you.He might not realize you’d like a wedding ring.”
“I never said that,” Nyree protested.
“I saw your face when Hana announced her engagement.”
“You saw nothing,” Nyree contradicted.“Tawera and I are as good as married.I’m happy for my sister, and I approve of her choice of husband.”
“But what about kids?”Emma persisted.
“Newsflash.Marriage is unnecessary to have children.”
But Emma’s words got her thinking about babies.They’ve never discussed children in detail, just tossed the idea into their future, but Tawera was great with kids, and they loved him in return.
The phone rang at the reception desk, and Nyree stood to answer the summons.The afternoon was busy with clients popping in to speak to their team of private investigators.Failed marriages, cheating, and divorces were a large part of their business and a handbrake on the idea of happy-ever-after.
Yet, she’d never been more content.
She and Tawera hadn’t discussed marriage or children recently since they were satisfied with the status quo.
Or were they?
Nyree thought hard during the bus journey home.Tawera treated her like a queen while she tried her best to do little things each day to surprise him and give him new experiences he’d never had because of his cursed past.Their relationship had never been a traditional one.It was more of a shared journey, their intimacy growing with each passing day.
Her mind drifted to marriage and children again, the possibility of a family pet, and suddenly, the answer became obvious.
