Plopping her on her couch, I kneel in the train of her flowing, lacy gown and cup her cheeks in my hands. “Hi.”
An exhausted smile lifts into her eyes, and she touches my wrist before she annihilates my heart, ever so simply, with just two words. “Hi, Ali.”
“How’d you find out?”
A little laugh escapes her, and she closes her eyes to nestle against my hand. “I went to your grandparents’ house. I was planning to play Sherlock and interrogate them because I thought Beth was the least involved party. Unfortunately, she has a photo of your graduation in the entry hall.”
“Ah. That thing.”
Letting her hand skim up my arm, she ruffles my dark hair. “Not blond.”
“Nope, not blond.” I drift into the peace of her presence. “Hope that’s okay?”
“I just…” Her chest trembles as she subdues a laugh. “I can’t believe you said,Crap, she wants a blond. This is of utmost importance and will be the deciding factor in whether or not we live happily ever after.”
“You deserve your every desire. Besides, I wanted my chances to be as good as possible.”
“Uh-huh.” Sleepily, she tips forward and plants a sloppy kiss to my forehead. “I love that you started this scheme so wickedly ready to fool me into falling for you.”
“I told you we were inevitable. One way or another, I was going to get us to right here, to right now.” I peer into her tired, deliriously happy eyes. “Does anything disappoint you, my lovely author? I’m open and available for edits. I even still have the blond wig.”
She slips off the couch and into my lap, a puddle of soft and small as her arms come around me. “No, you’re perfect. Just the way you are. Becausejust the way you areis totally going to love my idea for our boring courthouse visit.”
“Historical arranged marriage?” I ask.
She gasps. “How’d you know?”
“You said something about top hats and corsets, used my phone to order them at the reception, rambled the bones of your idea to December—who went around to everyone trying to get them to sign a napkin petition that you include a million kisses before she got pass-out drunk—and have just in general not been that quiet about it.”
“Oh, right.” Her brown eyes glitter. “I’m not discreet about my ideas unless I’m plotting a cozy mystery.”
“Mm. I’ll bet.” I trace an image into the thick stars on her cheeks. “You’re so tired.”
“Yeah.” Unrivaled bliss consumes her. “I know we’re getting married in a week, but…do you think we might explore a beloved trope tonight?”
“Why, August. What a suggestion. I can’t believe you want to wear one of my t-shirts before we’re wed.”
A tiny gasp escapes her. “I mean…yes. Let’s absolutely add that to it.”
“Add?” I let my eyes widen. “Wait. Were you… No, you couldn’t be. Are you suggesting…only one casket?”
August snorts, descending into a weary fit.
“Scandalous,” I drone.
“You’re so…” She squishes my face. “Ali.”
The peace invades my blood, secure and warm and laced in unlimited possibility. Being with her is like…summer break as a child. Back before the world became dull and convinced us to conform to its gray. Back when anything was probable. Anything at all.
I cradle her. As close as I can. Lips brushing her throat, I say, “Yes, well. I suppose I am.”
Breath leaves her stunned and so enchanting. “I love you, Ali.”
My muscles seize as my thoughts freeze.
“So much,” she adds, softly.
I stare at her, stricken with adoration. When my lips part, though, all I can say is: “We still have work tomorrow. Don’t think being this precious will get you out of it.”
