“Fine.”
I pull a copy from the top, open to the title page, and look down at it for a second.
For Zach — who pulled me out of the water. And Merritt — may every shore be one you chose.
I sign my name. Then, underneath, I write something else, close the cover, and slide it across the table to him.
Still not running. Still always yours. H
He picks it up with his free hand. Reads it and holds back a smile.
He looks down at me, his eyes dark. “Honeycomb,” he says quietly.
“There’s a queue,” Olivia says, pointing to the people behind him. “Don’t you think it would be nice for other people to meet your wife?”
“No,” he says simply. “She’s all mine.”
“Alright, caveman.” Olivia pushes him forward.
“Can I get a picture with her before I go?” he asks, slowing Olivia.
“Do you want one, or are you just stalling?”
He huffs out a breath that's almost a laugh as he looks at Olivia with disbelief.
“Of course I want a photo of us at every single book signing my wife ever does.”
I hear a couple of the women in the line coo.
“Fine. We’ll make it quick,” Olivia says, pulling out her phone.
I stand from the desk, leaning forward so I'm closer to Zach and Merritt.
“Smile, baby,” Zach says, nudging Merritt to look at the phone.
Click.
Olivia brings down the phone and hands it back to Zach, who in turn puts it in his pocket.
“Alright, I'm going to take this nugget for some chicken nuggets.” Zach looks at the line of people waiting and then back to me. “Good luck, Honeycomb. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
“Go sign your books, Honeycomb,” he says.
I sit in my chair, uncap my pen, and look at the long queue.
“Okay,” Olivia says, behind me. “Let's meet your next reader.”
I'm still smiling.
Merritt goes down without a fight, which is unsurprising since I took her on the most epic father-daughter day at the mall while her mother (and also the best thing that ever happened to me) met her readers.
Cotton candy, dodgems and an adventure playground. This mall had everything, and Merritt took serious advantage.
I stand in the doorway of her room for a moment after I've tucked her in, watching her chest rise and fall. She's got Honey's book clutched to her chest with her toy fox looking longingly from the other side of the room.
I'm the luckiest man alive.
