“Thank you,” he whispers. And after a moment, when I say nothing—offering my body to him in a way to comfort him—he adds, “Maybe you could ask your family to fly out.”
“Huh?”
Rowan pulls back enough to look me in the eyes, and he’s nervous again as he peers down at me.
“That way, everyone can meet. If you’re not ready yet, I understand. Of course your comfort is my priority, and you’ve been so gentle and open-minded about everything these past few months, which I’m very grateful—”
“Rowan,” I interrupt, and his mouth snaps shut. I can feel his hands shaking from where they continue to rub at my back. “I’ll invite them.”
“Really?!” His eyes widen as a small, unconcealable grin shapes his lips.
Honestly, I’m just as surprised by my response as he is. Sure, I’m mostly convinced that I’ve come to believe in our destiny together and what it means for us, but I still haven’t fully wrapped my mind aroundbringing him home.
But seeing the fear and uncertainty in his eyes confirmed one thing that I now believe in more than anything else: I will do anything to make Rowan happy.
Plus, it might be fun to show him off. He’s incredibly hot, after all.
“Yes, really. Give me a date, and I’ll make sure my family comes as well,” I say.
Suddenly, I cannot breathe.
Rowan has me wrapped up and pulled against his chest. My feet leave the ground as he spins me in a circle, right here in the middle of the town square.
“Yes! Thank you! I love you so much, Elijah, seriously,” he gushes.
“I…” My voice trails off as he sits me back on my feet, and his kind smile tells me it’s okay.
“Don’t rush yourself. You’ll tell me when you’re ready. I’m fine as long asIam allowed to say it.”
To this, I laugh. “Go right ahead, big guy.”
“I love you; I love you!” Rowan shoves his face into my neck, leaving wet kisses as he repeats himself over and over again.
“I get it! That tickles,” I whine, shoving his shoulders. It’s pointless, though; he’s much stronger than I am.
“Fuck our date. Let me take you home—if I don’t get my cock inside of you in the next thirty minutes, I’ll sob like a baby.”
“But Mermaid Water,” I demand.
“Ugh, you’re so cruel to me.” Rowan pouts, pulling back to place a quick kiss on my lips.
“Listen,” I coerce. “If you’re a good boy and take me to the bar, I’ll put you on your knees as soon as we get home. Can you do that? Can you be good?”
“Elijah, you’re evil!” he cries. “But yes. Yes, sir. I can besogood.”
We never make it to Cocktails and Consonances.
My parents, my sisters, and both of my sisters’ husbands fly into North Dakota two weeks later.
They settled into a hotel in Jamestown, and we all plan to meet at Tabitha’s Place at 6 p.m., per my request.
I’m not sure where Rowan’s brother and his parents are staying, but I don’t bother to ask as he anxiously gets ready at my apartment. And if I’m honest, I’m anxious too.
If my medicine didn’t make me so tired, I think I’d take it for the first time since the festival.
The drive to the diner is tense and silent, and I run my fingers over Rowan’s bare arm in an effort to comfort him. It seems to work, as his shoulders sag slightly as he drives.
And all too soon, we are parking against the curb and walking inside, our hands intertwined as I try to steady my breathing.
