His brow arches. “Only when you can?”
Now, I laugh. J knows me as well as I know him. He knows I push his buttons to get what I want, and he allows that. It’s another favourite thing of mine.
I reach for his face and pull his mouth to mine. After I steal another kiss from him, I say softly, “I love you, J.”
His eyes settle on mine again, filled with so much love and adoration. Honestly, this man could never be accused of cheating or even thinking about it. He wears his love so loudly. “I love you too, baby.”
I take another long moment with him and all my sentimental thoughts. We celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary this year, but we’ve known each other for twenty-four years, and I’ve got so many thoughts about that. About the life we’ve built together. A life I am grateful for every single day.
“What are you thinking?” he asks.
I brush my lips over his again. “I’m thinking how lucky I am to have you for a husband. I’m also thinking that we need to getin the shower and get dressed because your girls are about to come looking for presents and their daddy.”
14
SCOTT & HARLOW
HARLOW’S POV
Nearly ten years after they married
Boxing Day,December 26
6:30 a.m.
I waketo a crack of thunder that scares me because I wasn’t expecting it. It was a loud crack, like the thunder we had last night during the storm that finally helped ease some of the god-awful heat that’s been stifling Brisbane for days.
The curtains are drawn but even so, I can tell it’s dark outside. Usually, by this time of morning, the sun is streaming in through the cracks, right alongside the unbearable heat that seems to know no end. The sun may not be out this morning, but the heat has returned. It’s not as hot as it has been, but it’s still warm.
I push the bed covers off when I realise Scott’s already up and walk into the bathroom. I’m just finishing in there whenmore thunder rolls in. When I make my way out into the kitchen, lightning lights up the dark sky. I stand at the kitchen sink and watch the show through the window. Morning storms are so rare. Whenever we have one, I can’t help but just watch.
I’m in the middle of that when a text comes through for me.
Madison
Have you guys got power?
Me
Yes. Have you lost it?
Madison
No, but a lot of Brisbane has. The storm last night was wild. I was worried that tree in our front yard was going to end up through our roof. How did you guys go?
Me
I was so tired that I passed out and missed the wild part of it.
I glance up with a frown. I was so entranced with the thunder and lightning that I haven’t paid attention to the fact Scott is nowhere to be seen. It makes me wonder if we’ve had trees come down. Maybe he’s outside dealing with that.
Me
I’m gonna go find Scott. Are the kids behaving?
After celebrating Christmas at Madison and J’s yesterday, we left Aurora and Keaton there for a Christmas sleepover with their cousins.
Madison
